THE    KING'S   AGENT 


KING'S  AGENT 


BY     ARTHUR     PATERSON 

AUTHOR  OF  CROMWELL'S  OWN,  THE  GOSPEL  WRIT  IN  STEEL, 
FOR  FREEDOM'S  SAKE,    A  SON  OF  THE  PLAINS,  ETC.,  ETC. 


NEW   YORK 

D.    APPLETON    AND    COMPANY 
1902 


COPYRIGHT,  1902 
BY  D.   APPLETON  AND   COMPANY 


Published  October,  J902 


DEDICATED   TO 

FIELD-MARSHAL,  VISCOUNT  WOLSELEY,  K.  P., 

ETC., 

TO    WHOSE    GREAT    WORK    ON 
JOHN  CHURCHILL,  DUKE  OF  MARYBOROUGH, 

THIS     BOOK    OWES     ITS     EXISTENCE; 

AND   FOR  WHOSE  WISE  ADVICE 
AND   GENEROUS   HELP   IN   OBTAINING 
ACCESS    TO    IMPORTANT    DOCUMENTS 

THE  AUTHOR   CANNOT    BE 

SUFFICIENTLY    GRATEFUL. 


2137S67 


THE  KING'S  AGENT 


CHAPTER   I 

A  SHARP,  frosty  evening  in  January,  1692.  A  full 
moon  shone  from  a  cloudless  sky  and  silvered  the  roofs 
of  the  high  gabled  houses  in  the  fashionable  quarters 
of  town,  and  even  straggled  fitfully  down  into  the  nar- 
row, ill-paved,  uninviting  streets  below.  It  was  a  night 
when,  in  the  city  of  London  of  those  days,  no  man 
who  had  anything  to  lose  embarked  upon  a  journey 
without  providing  himself  with  an  armed  escort.  Not 
only  were  the  professional  gentlemen  of  the  high- 
way numerous  and  bold,  but  deserters  from  the  army 
and  navy,  "  pressed "  men  who  had  escaped  but 
dared  not  return  to  their  native  villages,  infested  the 
large  towns,  begging  by  day,  and  robbing  by  night. 
Not  a  street  but  was  patrolled  by  these  lost  dogs,  not 
a  beer-house  but  served  them  as  a  house  of  call,  and 
on  such  a  night  as  this  they  turned  out  in  formidable 
numbers.  On  this  particular  evening  certain  of  these 
men  had  hardly  taken  up  their  regular  beats  in  a  street 
near  Pall  Mall,  when  they  saw  something  which 
caused  them  to  speed  swiftly  to  a  well-considered  point 
of  vantage,  crouch  beneath  the  long,  sinister  shadows 
of  the  house,  and  wait  with  eager  eyes. 

A  gentleman,  unattended  except  by  a  lantern 
bearer — a  wizened  old  man — and  with  only  a  light 
rapier  carried  negligently  under  one  arm,  was  strolling 
down  the  street  at  a  leisurely  pace.  That  he  was  a  man 

i 


The  King's  Agent 

of  substance  and  consideration  every  night-walker  saw 
at  a  glance.  His  dress  was  of  rich  material  and  the 
latest  mode;  his  peruke  a  mountain  of  curls  fearfully 
and  wonderfully  made.  Even  his  heavy  overcoat, 
worn  loose  and  unbuttoned,  as  if  the  month  were 
June  instead  of  January,  was  stylishly  cut,  the  cape 
giving  just  the  requisite  appearance  of  breadth  to  a 
figure  inclined  to  be  a  shade  too  slim,  the  waist  fitting 
like  a  glove,  the  skirts  expansive,  not  to  say  volumi- 
nous, to  allow  free  play  to  the  limbs. 

He  walked  carelessly,  and  looked  neither  to  right 
nor  left,  and  those  who  were  watching  him  smiled.  He 
came  nearer  and  they  braced  their  muscles  for  a  spring. 
He  was  abreast  of  them  and — they  shrank  back  into 
the  shadow,  flattened  themselves  against  the  wall,  and 
let  him  pass. 

He  had  made  only  one  movement — a  turn  of  his 
head  so  that  they  could  see  his  face — but  that  was 
enough. 

It  was  not  a  face  easily  to  be  mistaken.  Long  and 
cadaverous,  with  high  cheek-bones,  a  straight,  promi- 
nent nose,  full  lips,  and  a  long  chin.  A  face  which,  at 
times,  was  extremely  repulsive,  but  at  other  times  was 
attractive  and  pleasing,  for  above  the  coarse  mouth 
and  obstinate  chin,  dominating  them,  were  a  noble 
forehead  and  a  pair  of  large  and  beautiful  eyes. 

By  the  eyes  of  a  man,  say  physiognomists,  shall 
the  elements  of  his  character  be  known.  This  is  true 
as  a  principle,  but  unfortunately  is  not  to  be  applied 
to  every  case.  In  this  instance,  though  the  eyes  could 
express  on  occasion  friendship  or  hatred,  anger,  ten- 
derness or  love,  now,  when  the  face  was  in  repose, 
they  were  as  cold  and  unfathomable  as  the  eyes  of  a 
dead  man. 

He  was  under  thirty  years  of  age,  though  he  looked 

2 


The  King's  Agent 

more,  and  his  clear  complexion  and  alertness  of  car- 
riage showed  him  to  be  in  the  prime  of  physical 
strength.  There  was,  indeed,  a  peculiar  balance  and 
grace  of  movement  about  him,  acquired  by  a  long 
course  of  severe  training  of  the  muscles  of  the  body 
and  limbs,  one  result  of  which  was  that  this  evening, 
though  cumbered  with  heavy  boots,  he  walked  so 
lightly  that  he  followed  his  little  servant  without  sound, 
like  an  attendant  spirit. 

They  were  moving  slowly,  as  if  expecting  some 
one,  and  at  the  slightest  noise  turned  their  heads  to 
listen.  At  last  the  master  touched  his  companion  with 
his  sheathed  rapier,  and  stood  still.  Presently  the 
sound  of  many  feet  tramping  in  unison  was  heard  on 
the  hard,  frosty  road,  and  round  the  corner  came  a 
sedan  chair,  escorted  by  four  armed  men  in  livery.  As 
the  chair  came  abreast  of  the  pedestrians,  the  lantern 
bearer  raised  his  light  so  that  it  shone  full  on  his 
master's  face.  A  head  was  instantly  thrust  from  the 
chair,  the  bearers  came  to  a  stand,  and  a  large  elderly 
man  rolled  heavily  out. 

"  Why,  what  is  this  ?  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Master 
Karl  Brownker  afoot  on  so  bitter  a  night  like  some 
prowling  grimalkin !  Ho,  ho !  was  ever  such  a  man  ?  " 

"  Nay — such  a  night,  my  lord.  Only  the  sick — or 
the  Earl  of  Tottenham — would  ride  to-night." 

He  doffed  his  hat  with  a  respectful  bow,  while  his 
lordship  laughed  aloud. 

"  Pinked,  on  my  faith,  for  indolence !  But  when 
did  Karl  Brownker  spare  a  foe — or  friend  ?  " 

"  If  my  thrust  gives  me  the  honour  of  your  com- 
pany, my  lord,  it  will  have  served  its  purpose." 

Lord  Tottenham  had  begun  to  laugh  again;  but 
now  stopped  short. 

"  So  you  wished  to  speak  to  me,  and  feared  I 
3 


The  King's  Agent 

would  begin  a-shivering  unless  you  shamed  me.  Pish ! 
— You  fellows  " — to  the  chairmen — "  follow  at  a  dis- 
tance." 

"  I  stopped  you,  my  lord,"  Mr.  Brownker  said  as 
they  turned  and  strolled  away  together,  "  because  I 
thought  you  might  be  well  advised  to  speak  to  me." 

He  bowed  again,  but  there  was  a  penetrating  in- 
cisiveness  in  his  tone  which  made  his  companion 
bridle. 

"  'Deed,  good  sir,"  he  said  tartly,  "  there  are  some 
who  can  live  without  your  favours." 

Mr.  Brownker  coolly  shrugged  his  shoulders.  "  It 
is  not  true,  then,  that  you  dine  to-night  with  the  town's 
talk,  Mr.  Hugh  Montgomery." 

"  Devil  take  it,  sir,  what  business  is  that  of  yours  ?  " 

"  It  is  my  master's,"  was  the  tranquil  reply. 

"  Not  his  either,"  his  lordship  retorted  with  some 
heat.  "  My  private  affairs  concern  not  King  William 
nor  any  other  man.  You,  who  know  everything,  know 
that  this  lad  is  son  of  my  old  friend  Ralf  Montgom- 
ery " 

"  And  nephew,  my  lord,  to  Lady  Susan  Montgom- 
ery, suspected  agent  and  open  supporter  of  James 
Stuart." 

Lord  Tottenham  swore  a  rude  oath. 

"  The  worn-out  old  poll-parrot !  If  the  King  fears 
Lady  Susan,  then  the  deuce  is  in  it ! " 

"  The  King  fears  no  one,  but  he  watches  all,  my 
lord." 

Lord  Tottenham  winced,  and  continued  in  a  lower 
tone :  "  Hugh  has  never  seen  his  aunt,  and  never  will. 
I'll  answer  for  it  he  is  no  Jacobite." 

"  It  is,  then,  a  pity,"  Mr.  Brownker  said  dryly, 
"  that  he  invites  so  many  Jacobites  this  evening." 

"  They  are  his  father's  friends.  The  boy  knows 
4 


The  King's  Agent 

not  a  soul  in  London  but  myself.     You  have  over- 
reached yourself  this  time." 

He  laughed  hoarsely.  Mr.  Brownker  echoed  the 
laugh,  at  which  his  lordship  quickly  became  grave 
again. 

"  The  history  of  this  boy,"  he  said  with  emphasis, 
"  is  in  every  one's  mouth.  I  marvel  you  should  not 
know  it." 

"  I  have  heard  something,"  the  other  said  mod- 
estly. "  Until  a  month  ago  he  was  an  ensign  in  the 
Fusiliers,  as  lean  and  hungry  as  a  rat.  Of  a  sud- 
den he  comes  into  £150,000,  left  him  by  his  uncle,  the 
rich  merchant.  And  now  he  hath  come  to  town,  and 
will  be,  by  all  accounts,  a  very  blade  of  fashion.  He  is 
an  ambitious,  reckless  rat,  boasting  that  he  will  take 
the  court  by  storm,  and  the  Lord  knows  what  besides." 

"  You  have  it,  you  have  it,"  his  lordship  said  brisk- 
ly, adding  as  if  to  himself,  "  even  as  I  have  Karl 
Brownker  in  a  clutch."  Mr.  Brownker  turned  his 
head,  though  he  did  not  speak.  "  I  mean,"  his  lordship 
continued  in  a  light  tone,  but  out  of  the  corner  of  his 
eye  closely  watching  his  companion,  "  that  I  do  now 
perceive  the  cause  of  your  solicitude.  This  poor  lad  of 
mine  has  done  you  an  ill  turn." 

At  these  words  Mr.  Brownker  gave  a  sharp,  hard 
laugh,  but  Lord  Tottenham,  who  knew  him  well,  saw 
his  lips  tighten  and  the  smooth  face  grow  dark  as  a 
thunder-cloud.  "  I  do  assure  you,  my  lord,"  he  said 
contemptuously,  "  he  is  no  more  to  me  than  these  night- 
hawks  lurking  in  the  streets,  who  run  when  I  raise  my 
eyes.  But  he  is  rich  and  of  a  headstrong  nature,  and, 
being  his  own  master,  he  may  become  of  some  interest 
to  King  William  in  such  troublous  times  as  these." 

He  said  the  last  words  with  quiet  deliberation  and 
distinctness. 

5 


The  King's  Agent 

Lord  Tottenham  smiled  knowingly,  and  took  snuff. 

"  To  argue  with  a  king's  agent,"  he  said,  "  is  but 
a  thought  less  dangerous  than  arguing  with  a  king. 
Yet,  on  my  faith,  it  seems  to  me  that  this  trade  of 
intelligencing  has  well-nigh  turned  all  our  heads. 
Hugh  is  twenty-one  years  old,  and  since  boyhood  has 
served  in  his  Majesty's  army  faithfully  and  well. 
Yet  because  he  has  been  written  on  by  the  diurnals 
and  signalizes  his  good  fortune  by  a  public  dinner  to 
gentlemen  who  knew  his  father  at  King  Charles's 
court  he  becomes  immediately  a  suspect,  a  traitor  by 
default.  Zounds,  sir !  "  Lord  Tottenham's  tongue 
was  not  a  well-guarded  one.  "  I'd  have  you  know,  an' 
it  come  to  that,  I  am  the  most  intimate  of  all  these 
friends !  " 

"  I  will  inform  his  Majesty,  my  lord,"  said  Mr. 
Brownker  in  his  dryest  tone. 

"  And  you  will  add,  I  trust,  that  he  has  not  a  more 
faithful  subject  in  this  land." 

"  In  England — surely  not,"  was  the  answer,  "  but 
his  Majesty  might  reply  that  does  not  mean  over- 
much." 

"  A  curse  on  your  Dutch  wit !  "  Lord  Tottenham's 
temper  had  blazed  up  again.  "  A  member  of  the 
King's  Privy  Council  should  be  exempt  from  insult 
even  from  Master  Brownker " 

"  Ah !  The  Privy  Council  ?  Your  lordship's  par- 
don, I  had  quite  forgotten  you  were  a  privy  council- 
lor." 

Lord  Tottenham  muttered  a  curse. 

"  Your  memory  needs  refreshing,  sir." 

"  Nay ;  your  lordship  has  done  so.  I  will  now,  in 
all  humbleness,  refresh  yours." 

His  voice  was  quiet  and  gentle;  but  he  laid  a 
hand  on  Lord  Tottenham's  arm,  and  looked  at  him 

6 


The  King's  Agent 

with  an  expression  of  such  significance  that  the  earl's 
heat  of  manner  died  away. 

"  Go  on,"  he  said  hoarsely,  for  Mr.  Brownker 
paused. 

"  Your  lordship's  close  attention.  It  is  within  my 
personal  knowledge  that  certain  members  of  King 
William's  Privy  Council  have,  within  the  last  week, 
sent  in  addresses  of  allegiance  to  King  James,  and  one 
of  them " 

"  Stop— on  your  life !  " 

Lord  Tottenham's  face  grew  rigid.  He  threw 
away  the  hand  that  touched  him,  and  grasped  his 
sword. 

"  You  dog !  Though  I  am  no  match  for  you  in 
fence  now,  and  may  die  for  it,  by  God,  you  shall  not 
call  me  traitor  twice  !  " 

Mr.  Brownker  laughed.  He  had  good  teeth, 
rather  prominent,  and  he  showed  them  all.  "  Traitor ! 
Truly  an  ugly  name.  But  it  is  of  your  lordship's 
choosing,  not  mine." 

"  Such  an  address  to  James  is  treason — black 
treason — and  you  said  that " 

"  One  hath  been  writ  by  members  of  the  Privy 
Council.  Yes." 

"  Am  I  accused  of  it  or  not  ?  " 

"  No." 

The  word  came  roundly,  and  Lord  Tottenham's 
hand  left  his  sword. 

"  But,"  added  Mr.  Brownker  dryly,  "  your  lordship 
must  walk  warily  and  mind  your  company." 

"  Then  I  am  suspected." 

"  A  pardon.  We  do  not  warn  men  whom  we  sus- 
pect." 

"  But  my  lad,  now.    He  is  suspect." 

Mr.  Brownker  showed  his  teeth. 
7 


The  King's  Agent 

"  That  fool  is  a  honey-pot,  about  whom  the  flies  are 
gathering  to-night." 

Lord  Tottenham  nodded. 

"  I  see  your  full  meaning ;  trust  me  to  keep  them 
oft  him." 

"  See  you  do  it,  my  lord." 

Mr.  Brownker  was  not  smiling  now. 

Again  Lord  Tottenham's  fingers  grasped  his 
sword.  "  S'death,  sir !  Had  his  Majesty  himself  said 
as  much  in  such  a  tone  I  had  asked  his  meaning  for  it." 

"  I  am  his  Majesty's  mouthpiece — here." 

Lord  Tottenham  made  no  reply  for  a  moment. 
Then  he  said  sullenly : 

"  In  plain  words,  then,  what  doth  he  want  of 
me?" 

"  The  old  story,  my  lord.  A  little  more  faith  in 
his  goodwill,  a  little  better  attention  to  his  business, 
a  little  less  complaisance  towards  his  enemies." 

"  Enemies !     I  speak  complaisantly  to  none." 

"  A  pardon."  Mr.  Brownker  spoke  in  his  smooth- 
est tones.  "  But  your  lordship  cannot  deny  that  you 
are  bosom  friend  of  the  Earl  of  Marlborough." 

Lord  Tottenham  started  now  in  good  earnest.  He 
even  so  far  forgot  himself  as  to  grasp  his  companion's 
arm. 

"  Marlborough !  Jack  Churchill !  What  hath  he 
done?" 

But  Mr.  Brownker  shook  his  head,  and  walked  on 
with  a  quicker  step. 

"  Ask  questions  of  his  Majesty,  my  lord,  not  me. 
Hark !  there  is  a  church  bell ;  we  shall  keep  our  enter- 
tainer waiting  for  his  dinner." 

"  You  are  to  be  a  guest,  then  ?  " 

"  I  received  an  invitation  rather  late.  But  it  was 
welcome." 

8 


The  King's  Agent 

Lord  Tottenham  sighed. 

"  My  poor  lad,  my  poor  lad !  "  he  muttered. 

"  If  I  had  £  10,000  a  year,"  Mr.  Brownker  said 
pensively,  "  I  should  not  live  in  poverty." 

"  If  Marlborough  is  out  of  favour,  Hugh  will  be 
poorer,  in  a  sense,  than  his  neediest  comrade,"  Lord 
Tottenham  said  bitterly.  "  Jack  is  Hugh's  hero,  as  he 
is  to  every  soldier  who  fights  under  him.  A  word 
against  Lord  Marlborough,  and  Hugh  would  defy  the 
King  himself.  See  here,  Brownker,  if  you  value  my 
friendship  or  regard,  guard  your  tongue  in  this  lad's 
presence  when  you  speak  of  Marlborough." 

Mr.  Brownker  turned  away,  and  Lord  Tottenham 
did  not  see  the  expression  of  his  face. 

"  I  will  confess,"  his  lordship  went  on,  "  that  Hugh 
is  something  hot  and  violent  in  his  ways.  He  is  his 
father's  son." 

Brownker  looked  up  sharply. 

"  Mr.  Ralf  Montgomery,  I  heard,  was  killed  in  a 
duel." 

"  Murdered.  He  was  no  hand  at  fence,  and  he 
fought  Lord  Casterton." 

"  Casterton,  my  master !  That  is,  I  have  seen  him 
with  foils.  Doth  this  Montgomery  fight  duels  ?  " 

He  spoke  slowly.  Lord  Tottenham,  peering  into 
his  face,  saw  him  smile  dreamily,  as  at  some  pleasant 
memory  or  anticipation. 

"  I  trust  not.  A  good  soldier  keeps  his  sword  for 
the  King's  enemies." 

Brownker  sighed  gently. 

"  His  father,  so  they  say,  once  sent  a  challenge  to 
King  Charles." 

"  It  caused  his  death,  and  another's,"  was  the  reply. 
"You  know  the  story?" 

"  I  would  give  much  to  hear  your  lordship  tell  it." 

9 


The  King's  Agent 

"  I  will.  It  may  awaken  your  interest  in  this  lad 
of  mine." 

"  That  is  awake,"  Mr.  Brownker  replied  gravely. 
"  But  I  would  increase  my  knowledge  through  his 
friends." 

"  It  all  came  about  by  Hugh's  mother,"  Lord  Tot- 
tenham began.  "  She  was  reigning  toast  the  Restora- 
tion year,  and  Charles  pursued  her  even  to  her  hus- 
band's house.  Ralf,  hearing  this  from  her  own  lips, 
laid  hands  upon  his  Majesty,  reckless  of  consequence, 
and  challenged  him.  Of  course  the  scandal  was 
hushed  up.  The  King  made  all  amends  he  could,  and 
ever  treated  Ralf  with  marked  favour  when  they  met 
afterward.  But  naught  could  heal  the  wound.  The 
Montgomerys  left  court  and  lived  quietly  in  the  coun- 
try, and  there  Hugh  was  nurtured.  But  his  father  ill- 
brooked  a  humdrum  life,  and  used  to  spend  much 
time  in  town  alone.  One  day  Casterton  met  him,  and 
to  court  favour  with  the  King,  so  he  said  afterward, 
taunted  Ralf  upon  the  amour  with  his  wife.  Ralf  laid 
him  by  the  heels  in  public  and  beat  him  savagely. 
They  fought.  I  was  Ralf's  second,  and  I  saw  him 
pinked  by  that  damned  villain.  God,  Brownker,  that 
sight  sickened  me  of  duelling  forever!  Before,  I  had 
done  my  share  and  a  little  more.  I  have  done  naught 
since." 

"  Nay — your  lordship  doth  forget,"  said  Mr. 
Brownker  softly.  His  eyes  were  bright  now,  his  face 
as  animated  as  a  fox-hunter's  when  he  sees  the  hounds 
break  off.  "  You  fought  one  more,  my  lord — one 
more." 

Lord  Tottenham's  teeth  closed. 

"  I  killed  Casterton.  I  could  never  have  faced 
Ralf's  wife  again  if  Casterton  had  lived." 

"  Yet  your  lordship  never  married,  after  all.  For- 
10 


The  King's  Agent 

give  me.  I  do  not  speak  from  curiosity,  but  for  a  pur- 
pose, and  from  knowledge " 

His  voice  was  gentle  now  and  sympathetic,  his  face 
grave.  Lord  Tottenham  gave  a  short  laugh. 

"  Deuce  take  you,  Brownker !  Where  do  you  get 
your  knowledge  ?  Yet,  since  you  know  something,  you 
shall  know  all ;  though  why  I  do  confide  to  you  I  can- 
not tell,"  and  he  broke  off  again. 

"  Your  lordship's  confidence  is  not  misplaced." 

The  men  looked  steadily  at  each  other  in  the  moon- 
light, and  Lord  Tottenham  nodded. 

"  I  believe  that.  I  never  married,  then,  because 
Margaret  Montgomery  could  not  forget  her  husband. 
She  spent  her  life  bringing  up  that  boy — Hugh.  He 
was  his  father's  image,  and  hers — and  hers!  On  her 
deathbed  she  sent  for  me,  made  me  his  guardian,  and 
gave  his  life  into  my  charge.  As  God  is  my  witness, 
Brownker,  that  life  is  dearer  than  my  own — dearer 
than  anything  I  have  on  earth — as  dear  as  if  he  were 
indeed  my  son." 

They  were  in  a  broader  thoroughfare  now,  toler- 
ably lighted ;  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road  stood  a 
large  well-appointed  building.  Before  its  broad  stone 
steps  were  a  throng  of  coaches  and  chairs ;  round  its 
doors  lounged  a  group  of  servants  in  brilliant  liveries. 
It  was  the  St.  James's  Club-house,  Pall  Mall,  the  most 
fashionable  resort  of  the  day. 

By  a  mutual  impulse  the  men  paused,  and  then 
Lord  Tottenham  touched  his  companion  on  the 
shoulder. 

"  I  have  never  told  this  to  a  man  before." 

"  My  lord,  my  lips  are  sealed." 

"  Ay,  ay.  But  a  confidence  deserves  a  confidence. 
Now  tell  me  this :  What  is  your  real  purpose  in  forcing 
an  acquaintance  with  my  boy?  You  know,  as  well  as 

2  II 


The  King's  Agent 

I  do,  that  he  is  simple-hearted,  loyal,  true.    What  is 
in  your  mind  ?  " 

Mr.  Brownker  smiled — a  smile  that  was  not  pleas- 
ant to  see. 

"  Your  lordship  has  answered  your  own  question. 
A  gentleman  such  as  you  describe  is  so  rare  to 
find  in  England  that  I  would  go  to  the  land's  end  just  to 
see  him.  So  would  his  Majesty." 

"  Pish !  "  cried  his  lordship.  "  Tell  me  more  than 
that " 

"  I  will,  my  lord." 

The  words  were  spoken  quietly,  but  something  in 
their  tone  made  Lord  Tottenham  hold  his  breath. 

"  I  have  to  put  some  in  this  place  to  a  test 
of  loyalty.  A  test  that  would  break  the  teeth,  I  do 
assure  you,  of  half  the  Privy  Council,  though  not, 
I  think,  your  lordship's.  That  is  my  purpose  here 
to-night." 

"  Something  has  happened." 

Mr.  Brownker  stifled  a  yawn,  but  his  eyes  were 
gleaming  still. 

"  Ay — a  little  thing — so  common  that  it  is  hardly 
worthy  of  remark  to  Englishmen.  Another  plot 
against  King  William's  life,  my  lord,  in  which  a  cer- 
tain member  of  the  Government — a  noble — and  a  gal- 
lant earl " 

"You  dare!" 

"  /  know." 

They  faced  one  another,  and  Lord  Tottenham 
dropped  his  eyes. 

"  Tell  me  more,"  he  said  hoarsely,  "  tell  me  all." 

"  Not  now.  We  should  miss  our  dinner."  And  he 
began  to  cross  the  road. 

"  But  to-night — "  Lord  Tottenham  whispered,  fol- 
lowing him.  "  What  shall  you  do  to-night  ?  " 

12 


The  King's  Agent 

"  My  duty,  and  best  endeavours,  my  lord,  in  the 
service  of  the  King."  He  had  reached  the  steps,  and 
now  handed  his  coat  and  hat  to  a  servant,  and  then, 
amid  the  bows  of  the  attendants  of  the  club,  entered 
first. 


CHAPTER  II 

A  LONG  table,  well  furnished  with  costly  glass  and 
silver,  and  flanked  with  tankards  of  wine;  on  either 
side  two  score  of  gentlemen  preparing  for  an  evening's 
enjoyment.  Some,  if  the  wine  proved  good  enough, 
to  drink  until  they  were  unable  to  lift  a  glass ;  the  rest, 
after  partaking  as  freely  as  their  heads  would  allow 
it,  to  retire  to  the  card-rooms  and  play  hazard  until 
morning.  In  other  words,  except  for  the  selectness  of 
the  company,  it  was  an  ordinary,  every-day  dinner  of 
the  period. 

One  person  present,  however,  considered  the  occa- 
sion far  from  being  an  ordinary  one.  Hugh  Montgom- 
ery for  the  first  time  in  his  life  was  about  to  entertain 
men  of  his  own  rank,  and  of  greater  rank  than  his  own, 
in  a  manner  suitable  to  their  position.  Hugh  Mont- 
gomery was,  in  consequence,  extremely  nervous.  For 
the  first  time  he  was  clad  in  a  resplendent  suit,  made 
by  the  best  tailor  in  town ;  for  the  first  time  he  mixed 
as  an  equal  with  men  of  the  first  fashion  in  the  land. 
It  might  be  that  their  motives  for  accepting  his  invita- 
tion were  mixed,  and  that  for  the  most  part  the  ex- 
quisites of  the  English  aristocracy  who  honoured 
Hugh  Montgomery's  board  to-night,  came  to  see  how 
this  translated  subaltern  of  a  line  regiment  comport- 
ed himself  under  the  weight  of  his  new  fortunes.  But 
they  came;  and  Hugh,  blissfully  unconscious  of  their 
motives,  was  happy. 

14 


The  King's  Agent 

In  the  seventeenth  century  such  a  rise  in  life  as 
this  attracted  much  more  attention  than  it  would  do 
now,  perhaps  because  there  were  fewer  people  who 
had  £10,000  a  year.  The  diurnals  were  full  of 
it,  as  Lord  Tottenham  had  said,  and  sketched  the 
fortunate  man's  career  with  the  customary  journalistic 
embellishments  to  such  purpose  that  Hugh,  waking 
one  day  to  find  himself  rich,  woke  the  next  to  find  him- 
self famous.  As  an  item  of  society  gossip  for  at  least 
a  week,  his  affairs  put  the  execution  of  a  notorious 
highwayman  into  the  shade  and  ran  the  latest  court 
scandal  close. 

What  could  an  ambitious  young  man  want  more? 
Not  Hugh  Montgomery,  though  as  yet  he  knew  noth- 
ing of  court  scandals.  He  was  in  perfect  health,  and 
he  had  an  easy  conscience.  Hard  work,  and  harder 
discipline,  had  braced,  not  broken,  his  strength  and 
spirits.  He  had  not  an  enemy  that  he  knew  of,  and 
had  many  warm  friends.  The  world  was  before  him, 
smiling  pleasantly. 

Hugh  had  only  one  anxiety :  that  this,  his  first 
public  entertainment,  should  be  an  unqualified  suc- 
cess. 

Lord  Tottenham  and  Mr.  Brownker  were  the  last 
guests  to  arrive,  but  a  vacant  place  on  Hugh's  right 
hand  had  been  reserved  for  my  lord,  and.  when  Mr. 
Brownker  was  introduced  as  his  lordship's  friend — 
Lord  Tottenham  had  his  reasons  for  making  this  state- 
ment— room  was  made  for  that  gentleman  close  by. 
Opposite  to  the  earl,  on  Hugh's  left,  was  the  colonel 
of  his  old  regiment,  and  Lord  Tottenham  noticed  with 
secret  amusement  that  other  officers  in  the  Fusiliers, 
though  in  some  instances  of  very  humble  rank,  took 
precedence  at  their  comrade's  table  of  men  of  rank  and 
fashion. 

IS 


The  King's  Agent 

"  He  forgets  not  his  old  friends,"  he  whispered  to 
Mr.  Brownker. 

"  He  forgets  his  own  interests,"  was  the  rejoinder. 
"  A  fig  for  his  old  friends !  " 

The  words  were  spoken  under  cover  of  the  noise 
occasioned  by  the  beginning  of  dinner.  It  was  one 
of  the  best  dinners  ever  served  at  the  St.  James's, 
and  was  done  ample  justice  to ;  but  there  were  two  men 
present  who  scarcely  knew  what  they  were  eating. 
Mr.  Brownker  was  keenly  studying  the  face  of  his 
host,  his  eyes  following  every  movement  of  the  man; 
while  Lord  Tottenham,  though  talking  and  laughing 
with  the  rest,  closely  studied  Mr.  Brownker. 

As  for  Hugh  Montgomery,  he  was  as  unconscious 
of  this  by-play  as  a  frolicsome  young  spring-bok 
stalked  by  his  first  lion.  His  initial  nervousness  was 
over;  his  heart  was  warmed  with  good  wine;  and  he 
was  brimming  over  with  the  milk  of  human  kindness. 
His  nature  held  little  pride  and  no  fear,  and  he  took 
men  as  he  found  them — mostly  at  the  value  they  chose 
to  set  upon  themselves.  Consequently  he  was  popular. 
Moreover,  he  greeted  all  alike,  and  was  as  simple  and 
as  natural  in  his  treatment  of  the  stiffest  and  most  ex- 
clusive man  of  fashion  as  of  one  of  his  fellow  sub- 
alterns. 

Mr.  Brownker  caught  Lord  Tottenham's  eye.  "  A 
pity,"  he  whispered,  "  that  the  manners  of  the  camp 
are  so  manifest.  Watch  the  faces  round.  All  the  gilt 
upon  this  pill  will  hardly  serve  to  get  it  down." 

"  Yet  it  goes  down,"  my  lord  replied,  as  a  burst  of 
laughter  broke  out  about  him  at  some  droll  story  the 
host  told  against  himself.  "  I  have  not  heard  my  Lord 
Haliburton  shake  his  sides  so  heartily  these  five  years 
past.  But,  Lord  save  us,"  he  exclaimed,  "  what  is  the 
boy  doing  now  ?  " 

16 


The  King's  Agent 

It  was  indeed  a  startling  sight.  Lord  Haliburton, 
a  powdered,  rouged  old  beau  of  the  last  generation, 
had  choked  violently  in  his  merriment,  upon  which 
Hugh,  oblivious  of  his  rank  and  age,  had  administered 
to  him  a  vigorous  blow  on  the  back,  and  nearly 
knocked  all  the  remaining  breath  out  of  the  old  gentle- 
man's body.  The  incident  caused  a  louder  roar  of 
laughter  than  the  story,  and  his  lordship  became  pur- 
ple in  the  face,  upon  which  Hugh,  in  sincere  contri- 
tion, humbly  apologized. 

There  is  always  something  attractive  in  a  young- 
ster in  full  strength  of  manhood  earnestly  blaming 
his  own  vigour,  and  in  this  instance  Lord  Hali- 
burton, to  every  one's  surprise,  recovered  his  tem- 
per at  once,  and  even  made  a  feeble  joke  himself,  at 
which  Hugh  laughed  with  all  his  might.  After  this 
the  flow  of  mirth  and  good-fellowship  became  stronger 
than  ever.  The  dinner  promised  to  be  a  remarkable 
success. 

Now  Hugh,  flushed  with  the  pride  of  appreciated 
hospitality,  rose  with  a  bumper  of  wine. 

"  A  toast,  gentlemen  all.  The  King !  God  bless 
him!" 

A  sudden  silence  fell  upon  the  table.  Faces  clouded 
over,  laughter  died  away.  Only  the  soldiers  present 
honoured  the  toast  with  alacrity  and  decent  warmth. 
The  rest,  except  Lord  Tottenham  and  Mr.  Brownker, 
made  a  very  cold  response,  while  some  even  muttered 
a  name  which  was  certainly  not  William. 

Hugh,  startled  and  greatly  discomfited,  had  just  re- 
sumed his  seat,  when  Mr.  Brownker  addressed  him  in 
tones  that  were  heard  all  over  the  room. 

"  You  will  note,  sir,  that  some  of  your  friends  have 
mistaken  the  meaning  of  your  toast — unless  I  have 
mistaken  it  myself." 

17 


The  King's  Agent 

"Mistake!"  Hugh  answered  sharply.  "There 
could  be  no  mistake.  I  said  the  King." 

"  In  the  best  society,  sir,  it  is  customary  to  say 
which  King." 

Mr.  Brownker  spoke  blandly,  but  with  a  studied 
superiority  that  cut  Hugh  to  the  quick.  He  hastily 
filled  another  glass  to  the  brim,  and  held  it  high. 

"  The  King!  If  any  gentleman  disputes  the  title 
of  his  Majesty,  King  William,  my  sword  is  at  his 
service — ay,  even  though  he  is  my  guest."  And  toss- 
ing off  the  wine  at  a  draught,  he  gave  Mr.  Brownker 
an  aggressive  nod,  which  to  his  surprise  was  greeted 
by  the  rest  of  the  company  with  a  peal  of  laughter. 
Mr.  Brownker  moved  not  a  muscle. 

"  Your  sword,  sir,"  he  replied,  "  will  not,  in  this 
company,  rust  for  want  of  use." 

Hugh  flushed  crimson,  and  his  hands  twitched. 

"  These  gentlemen  are  my  father's  friends  and 
mine,  and  are  not  to  be  insulted  at  my  table." 

There  was  another  laugh,  in  which  Mr.  Brownker 
joined ;  but  Lord  Tottenham's  deep  voice  chimed  in  at 
the  moment,  asserting  that  Mr.  Montgomery  was 
right,  evoking  an  immediate  response  from  the  sol- 
diers. In  the  midst  of  this  Hugh  sat  down,  and  with 
an  effort,  turning  away  from  Mr.  Brownker,  began  to 
talk  to  his  colonel.  But  his  joy  of  the  evening  had  de- 
parted. A  shadow  had  come  between  him  and  his 
friends,  or  those  who  might  have  become  his  friends — 
a  shadow  no  effort  of  his  could  drive  away. 

Hugh  had  joined  the  army  soon  after  the  corona- 
tion of  William  and  Mary.  He  was  little  more  than 
a  boy  at  the  time,  and  had  been  brought  up  far  from 
any  centre  of  social  or  political  life.  His  only  com- 
panion was  his  mother,  a  devout  hater  of  the  Stuarts, 
and,  moreover,  the  daughter  of  a  man  who  had  been 

18 


The  King's  Agent 

a  close  friend  of  Cromwell's.  Once  in  the  army,  cus- 
tom and  discipline,  and  the  fact  that  William  was  not 
unpopular,  made  loyalty  easy  and  natural.  Hugh, 
therefore,  the  army  having  been  the  only  world  he 
knew,  was  utterly  ignorant  of  Jacobitism.  Nor  was 
he  as  yet  acquainted  with  the  names  of  men  most 
influential  in  politics  beyond  the  well-known  noble- 
men of  mark.  But  Hugh  was  not  wanting  in  per- 
ception or  the  faculty  of  learning  from  experience, 
and  seeing  that  he  had  made  himself  absurd  by 
suspecting  Mr.  Brownker  to  be  of  Jacobite  ten- 
dencies, and  had  stirred  up  a  hornet's  nest  by  his 
challenge  for  King  William,  he  wisely  endeavoured 
to  divert  the  thoughts  of  his  guests  into  safer  chan- 
nels, and  turned  his  back  resolutely  upon  an  inhospi- 
table desire  to  pick  a  quarrel  with  this  very  disagree- 
able stranger. 

Meanwhile  Lord  Tottenham  had  plucked  Mr. 
Brownker  by  the  sleeve. 

"  I  spoke  truth.    He  is  loyal  to  the  bone." 

Mr.  Brownker's  only  reply  was  a  significant  lift 
of  the  eyebrows,  and  after  a  short  interval  he  addressed 
Hugh  again. 

"  I  ask  your  pardon,"  he  said  in  the  tone  of  one 
conferring  a  favour  upon  an  inferior,  "  if  I  seemed 
to  cast  a  doubt  upon  your  principles.  But  these  are 
times — you  will  grasp  my  meaning  before  long — when 
a  man  is  like  to  be  suspicious  of  his  brother.  Will  you 
drink  this  toast  with  me  ?  "  He  raised  his  glass,  and 
the  ghost  of  a  sardonic  smile  curved  about  his  loose 
lips  and  deepened  the  lines  of  his  hard  face.  "  Confu- 
sion to  all  who,  having  sworn  allegiance  to  King  Wil- 
liam, yet  correspond  in  writing,  and  by  word  of  mouth, 
with  the  agents  of  King  James !  " 

"  On  that,"  Hugh  answered,  "  I  take  you  willingly. 
19 


The  King's  Agent 

Death  and  confusion  to  all  traitors  in  the  land,  be  they 
whom  they  may !  " 

Their  glasses  clinked,  and  the  soldiers  rapped  the 
table  with  their  knuckles ;  but  from  other  parts  of  the 
table  came  a  murmur  of  disgust.  Several  even  pushed 
back  their  chairs  as  if  about  to  leave. 

Mr.  Brownker  looked  slowly  round,  and  his  smile 
deepened  and  widened.  He  had,  certainly,  exceedingly 
prominent  front  teeth. 

"  What !  Am  I  breaking  up  the  good  company  ? 
Yet,  if  it  teaches  Mr.  Montgomery  to  be  wiser  and 
more  prudent  in  his  choice  of  friends,  it  is  well 
worth  it." 

At  these  words  Hugh  started  to  his  feet,  expecting 
to  see  violent  hands  laid  upon  the  speaker  for  his  in- 
sulting words.  But  no  one  moved  or  spoke.  Some 
strange  awe  of  this  pale,  slight  man  with  his  gleam- 
ing eyes  and  ugly  mouth  seemed  to  hold  them  spell- 
bound. Hugh  turned  on  him,  blazing  with  indigna- 
tion. 

"  Sir,  you  have  said  enough.  The  politics  of  these 
gentlemen  are  not  your  business.  Yet  I  thank  you  for 
one  lesson  you  have  taught  me.  I  should  be  wiser, 
you  have  said,  and  more  prudent  in  my  choice  of 
guests.  Truly,  I  will  remember  this  when  next  it  is 
suggested  that  I  invite  you  to  my  table." 

A  murmur  of  amazement  greeted  these  ominous 
words,  and  Hugh's  colonel,  a  gray-haired  veteran, 
caught  him  by  the  arm. 

"  Fool !  You  speak  to  the  King's  agent,"  he  whis- 
pered. "  Apologize  before  it  is  too  late." 

But  Hugh's  blood  was  up. 

"  At  my  table,"  he  said  aloud,  "  not  the  King  him- 
self should  insult  my  company,  and  still  remain  a 
guest." 

20 


The  King's  Agent 

Applause  followed  these  words,  though  men  began 
to  hold  their  breath  for  what  was  to  follow,  and  a 
dead  silence  fell  upon  them  all  when  Mr.  Brownker 
opened  his  lips  to  reply.  He  bowed  to  Hugh,  vacated 
his  chair,  and  placed  it  against  the  table. 

"  There  is  only  one  thing  for  me  to  say,"  he  was 
beginning,  when  Lord  Tottenham  started  up,  and 
brought  a  heavy  hand  down  upon  his  shoulder. 

"  Let  me  speak  first.  S'death,  gentlemen  all,  rouse 
up  and  stop  this  quarrel.  A  curse  upon  you  both! 
Flying  at  each  other's  throats,  and  with  no  more  rea- 
son than  two  dogs !  What  is  it  all  about  ?  Nothing. — 
Hugh,  this  gentleman  represents  his  Majesty,  and  so 
has  a  right  to  be  jealous  for  his  master. — Brownker  " 
— here  his  lordship  lowered  his  voice — "  what  devil 
possesses  you  to-night  ?  " 

But  the  earl's  protest  fell  on  deaf  ears.  Hugh 
only  shrugged  his  shoulders,  while  Mr.  Brownker 
quietly  disengaged  himself  from  the  restraining  hand. 

"  I  was  about  to  say,"  he  remarked,  "  that  Mr. 
Montgomery  cannot  face  both  ways.  His  devotion  to 
the  King  is  but  skin  deep  while  he  consorts  with  men 
who  will  not  drink  his  health.  I  will  tender  this  ad- 
vice  " 

Hugh  burst  into  an  insulting  laugh. 

"  Who  gave  you  authority  to  tender  me  advice  ?  " 

Mr.  Brownker  smiled  amiably. 

"  My  report  to  the  King  must  be,  then,  that  Mr. 
Hugh  Montgomery  prefers  traitors  to  his  Majesty's 
good  name." 

"  Your  report  will  be  a  lie." 

At  this  fatal  word,  Mr.  Brownker  slightly  changed 
his  position  and  laid  a  hand  on  his  sword,  while  Hugh, 
casting  to  one  side  a  chair  that  was  in  his  way,  ad- 
vanced upon  him.  But  before  either  could  draw  his 

21 


The  King's  Agent 

weapon,  Lord  Tottenham  had  thrust  himself  between 
them. 

"  This  must  not  be,"  he  said  between  his  teeth,  his 
face  white  and  rigid.  "  Hugh,  you  have  forgot  that 
this  gentleman  is  still  your  guest. — Mr.  Brownker,  if 
you  draw,  I  will  hand  you  over  to  an  officer  of  law." 

Mr.  Brownker  gave  a  low  laugh.  "  How  con- 
siderate and  courteous!  But  your  lordship  leaves  me 
no  choice.  Since  this  young  gentleman  cannot  defend 
himself " 

Lord  Tottenham  gnashed  Ms  teeth. 

"  Damn  you,  be  silent !  This  is  all  your  doing. 
You  set  a  trap,  baited  it,  spurred  him  into  it,  and  now 
— but  I  will  foil  you.  Fight  if  you  will,  but  by  God, 
you  shall  fight  me !  "  And  seizing  a  glass  of  wine,  he 
tried  to  throw  its  contents  into  Brownker's  smiling  face. 
The  earl  had  counted,  however,  without  Hugh  Mont- 
gomery. His  hand  was  caught  as  he  raised  it,  and  the 
glass  dashed  in  fragments  on  the  floor.  There  was 
then  a  sharp  struggle  between  them,  for  Lord  Totten- 
ham was  beside  himself  with  passion ;  but  the  strength 
of  the  young  man  conquered,  and  Hugh,  gently  but 
firmly  thrusting  his  guardian  aside,  stood  foot  to  foot 
with  Brownker.  Yet  short  as  the  struggle  was,  it  so- 
bered Hugh,  as  the  controlling  of  another's  rage  will 
often  do. 

"  Your  pardon,  my  lord,"  he  said  very  quietly,  "  but 
this  is  my  affair."  Then  to  Mr.  Brownker :  "  His  lord- 
ship was  just  in  his  reproof.  You  are  my  guest;  I 
crave  your  pardon." 

Mr.  Brownker's  bitter  smile  vanished. 

"  It  is  granted,"  he  said  curtly,  and  Lord  Totten- 
ham drew  a  long  breath  of  relief. 

"  You  will  be  friends,"  he  cried,  catching  up  a 
decanter,  "  and  drown  all  in  a  bumper." 

22 


The  King's  Agent 

But  Mr.  Brownker  did  not  move. 

"  So  frank  an  apology,"  he  said,  "  demands  ac- 
knowledgment in  kind.  But  I  will  intrude  no  fur- 
ther on  Mr.  Montgomery's  hospitality." 

"  And  I,  my  lord,"  Hugh  said,  looking  Mr.  Brown- 
ker steadily  in  the  eyes,  "  hold  myself  at  Mr.  Brown- 
ker's  service,  if  he  doth  desire  to  meet  me." 

"  He  does  not  desire  it,"  interposed  the  earl  quickly. 
He  had  recovered  his  self-control,  though  his  face  was 
anxious.  "  He  cannot,  for  he  is  one  who  holds  a  place 
of  great  responsibility,  and  for  every  act  is  person- 
ally answerable  to  his  Majesty  the  King." 

Mr.  Brownker  smiled  without  bitterness. 

"  Your  lordship  strikes  heavily  and  home ;  but  you 
remind  me  of  a  thing  I  had  forgotten.  Gentlemen,"  he 
turned  from  Hugh,  and  leaning  on  the  table  looked 
from  face  to  face,  "  before  I  leave  your  presence,  I 
have  some  news  concerning  a  nobleman  well  known  to 
every  one." 

He  paused,  and  the  room  was  still  as  death. 

"The  King  has  been  pleased  to-day  to  dismiss  the 
Earl  of  Marlborough  from  all  his  offices." 

The  sensation  caused  by  this  announcement  was 
profound.  Consternation  spread  from  face  to  face. 
The  soldiers  groaned  aloud,  and  Hugh  swore  a  round, 
full-flavoured  military  oath. 

"  His  Majesty  hath  thrown  away  the  services  of  the 
greatest  man  in  England." 

Mr.  Brownker  turned  upon  him  swiftly. 

"  You  are,  then,  well  acquainted  with  the  earl?  " 

There  was  a  keen  inquiry  in  his  tone,  which  struck 
Hugh  and  Lord  Tottenham  at  the  same  moment. 
Hugh  forgot  it  afterward,  but  the  earl  did  not  for- 
get. 

"  I  have  served  under  Lord  Marlborough,  and  if  I 
23 


The  King's  Agent 

live  a  week  I  hope  to  pay  my  respects  to  him  and  to  his 
lady,"  Hugh  answered  proudly.  "  He  is  a  noble  gen- 
tleman." 

The  old  mocking  smile  played  about  Mr.  Brown- 
ker's  lips. 

"  You  would  rather  serve  him  than  the  King." 

"  I  would  serve  him — as  he  would  serve  King  Wil- 
liam— to  the  death." 

Mr.  Brownker  showed  his  teeth. 

"  But  my  Lord  Marlborough  has  been  openly  ac- 
cused of  treason." 

"Who  says  that?" 

Hugh's  face  had  become  colourless  and  hard.  His 
chest  heaved  slowly,  as  if  he  were  in  pain.  Mr. 
Brownker  laughed. 

"  Ask  my  Lord  of  Tottenham." 

"Who— says  that?" 

The  words  came  like  an  echo  in  a  low  strained 
voice. 

"  I  say  it,"  Mr.  Brownker  answered  in  a  quiet, 
e-"en  tone,  watching  Hugh  as  a  lion  tamer  watches  a 
troublesome  pupil.  Then  he  stepped  quickly  aside, 
but  it  was  too  late.  Hugh  had  leaped  upon  him  and 
struck  him  a  blow  upon  the  chest  that  dashed  him 
backward  on  the  floor. 

"You  liar!" 

There  was  a  gasp  of  amazement,  and  then,  while 
half  a  dozen  men  sprang  forward  to  help  Mr.  Brown- 
ker to  his  feet,  Lord  Tottenham  and  some  of  the  sol- 
diers threw  themselves  on  Hugh.  Their  attentions 
were  superfluous.  Mr.  Brownker  rose  without  assist- 
ance as  lightly  as  he  fell,  while  Hugh  stood  quite  still 
and  waited.  He  had  not  to  wait  long. 

"  Accept  my  compliments,"  Mr.  Brownker  said 
with  cold  politeness,  delicately  dusting  his  coat  with  a 

24 


The  King's  Agent 

silk  handkerchief,  "  you  have  disposed  of  all  impedi- 
ments. We  will  arrange  now." 

"  I  am  your  servant,  sir,"  Hugh  said  in  the  same 
tone.  "  My  lord  " — he  turned  to  Lord  Tottenham  with 
a  frank,  boyish  smile — "  once  you  stood  my  father's 
friend.  Now  you  will  stand  mine  ?  " 

"  Great  God,"  exclaimed  the  earl  shuddering, 
"that  it  should  come  to  this!  But  I  do  it,"  he  said 
abruptly.  "  May  the  Lord  help  you,  boy !  " 

"  Amen,"  said  Mr.  Brownker ;  and  Lord  Totten- 
ham was  not  the  only  man  who  shuddered  at  the  quiet 
assurance  of  his  tone. 

"  The  weapons !  "  he  added.    "  Your  choice." 

"  Small  swords,  of  course,"  cried  Lord  Tottenham 
before  Hugh  could  speak. 

"  Your  lordship's  pardon,"  Hugh  interrupted  cool- 
ly. "Foils." 

Mr.  Brownker  smiled  grimly,  while  Lord  Totten- 
ham groaned,  and  striding  to  the  table  tossed  off  a 
glass  of  wine.  His  hand  was  shaking;  his  forehead 
clammy  with  perspiration.  He  dashed  down  the  glass 
and  broke  it. 

"  So  help  me  God,"  he  cried,  "  I  will  not  stand  by 
again  to  see  a  murder  done !  It  must  be  small  swords." 

But  the  young  men,  who  had  drawn  aside  from  the 
rest  and  were  talking  in  whispers,  paid  no  attention 
to  him,  and  the  colonel,  to  whom  he  now  appealed, 
shook  his  head.  "  Let  be,  my  lord,"  he  said  sadly, 
"  no  small  sword  would  draw  blood  enough  to  wash 
that  insult  out." 

Meanwhile  Hugh  and  Mr.  Brownker  completed 
their  arrangements. 

"  I  would  sooner  it  had  been  to-morrow,"  Hugh 
said  politely,  "  but  your  time  is  mine." 

"  I  have  business  to-morrow " — Mr.  Brownker 
25 


The  King's  Agent 

coughed — "  business  which  I  may  not  neglect.  Let  us 
say,  the  fields  near  Hampstead  at  dawn  on  the  next 
day. 

Hugh  nodded,  then  moved  back  to  the  table  and 
took  up  a  decanter  of  wine.  He  was  smiling  into  Mr. 
Brownker's  eyes. 

"  Drink  with  me,"  he  said  quickly.  "  All  is  done 
now,  and — and — perhaps  my  blow  was  harder  than  I 
did  intend." 

Mr.  Brownker  smiled  back,  and  bowed  acceptance. 
Then  before  the  astonished  company  they  pledged  each 
other. 

"  Good  fortune  and  a  long  life  to  you ! "  Mr. 
Brownker  said.  The  glasses  touched. 

"  To  both  of  us !  "  Hugh  cried  impulsively,  and 
laughed. 

"  Nay,"  said  the  other  very  quietly,  with  a  most 
courtly  bow,  "  it  cannot  be  to  both." 

Then  he  wiped  his  lips  slowly  with  a  handkerchief. 
"  Sir,  your  servant. — My  Lord  Tottenham,  your  hum- 
ble servant. — Gentlemen,  a  good  evening  to  you  all." 

In  this  way,  and  with  an  elaborate  salute,  Mr. 
Brownker  took  his  leave,  his  manner,  face,  and 
bearing  expressing  the  serene  content  of  a  man  who 
has  accomplished  in  a  manner  entirely  satisfactory 
some  very  profitable  stroke  of  business  for  himself. 


26 


CHAPTER   III 

AT  Mr.  Brownker's  departure  Hugh  Montgom- 
ery's company  rapidly  melted  away.  They  went  with 
many  and  various  excuses,  all  of  which  Hugh  received 
with  a  bad  grace,  comparing  himself  to  a  sinking  ship 
deserted  by  the  rats.  He  was  unjust.  These  guests, 
Jacobites,  as  Mr.  Brownker  had  told  Lord  Tottenham, 
almost  to  a  man,  would  have  overwhelmed  him  with 
professions  of  friendship  the  moment  the  King's  agent 
turned  his  back  had  they  not  perceived  that  the  quarrel 
was  personal,  not  political.  The  younger  men,  it  was 
true,  were  fired  with  enthusiasm  at  the  courage  of  a 
raw  young  soldier,  who  could  so  recklessly  insult  one 
who  was  reputed  to  be  the  deadliest  duellist  in  Eng- 
land; but  so  engrossed  were  they  all  by  more  impor- 
tant matters  nearer  home  that  even  this  interesting 
event  received  but  a  passing  thought. 

Marlborough  was  down!  Marlborough,  the  mov- 
ing spirit  of  the  army ;  the  only  soldier  for  the  Protest- 
ant cause  who  had  never  been  defeated  by  the  French ; 
the  man  William  had  created  earl,  groom  of  the  bed- 
chamber, privy  councillor,  and  whom  he  consulted 
confidentially  in  military  affairs.  Marlborough  was 
stripped  without  warning  of  all  his  offices,  and  dis- 
missed from  court  in  disgrace.  It  was  a  thunderbolt. 
What  had  happened?  Above  all,  what  would  happen 
next?  These  were  the  thoughts  which  engrossed  the 
minds  of  Hugh's  fashionable  guests  to  the  exclusion  of 
3  27 


The  King's  Agent 

all  others,  and  sent  them  hurrying  homeward  in  chairs, 
coaches,  and  afoot,  in  a  state  of  sobriety  and  decorum 
which  filled  the  club  waiters  with  astonishment  and 
disgust. 

Hugh,  left  with  Lord  Tottenham  and  the  officers  of 
the  Fusiliers,  suggested  that  they  should  make  a  night 
of  it,  and  drink  confusion  to  all  the  King's  enemies,  and 
their  own,  in  bumpers.  He  was  flushed  and  excited, 
as  young  men  are  when  they  have  put  down  their  last 
stake  in  the  game  of  life  and  death.  He  was  not  afraid, 
but  he  knew  the  risk  he  ran,  and  life  was  sweet. 

The  soldiers,  however,  tried  friends  and  true,  shook 
their  heads,  and  went  their  way.  Rest  by  night  and 
hard  exercise  by  day — these  were  the  needful  prelimi- 
naries for  Hugh  to  the  meeting  in  the  Hampstead 
fields. 

Lord  Tottenham  knew  this  well;  and  the  soldiers 
having  departed,  he  carried  Hugh  off  to  his  own  house, 
Tottenham  Place,  standing  near  the  present  site  of 
Berkeley  Square.  Hugh  himself  had  a  bachelor  estab- 
lishment in  Westminster,  pending  the  purchase  of  an 
estate  in  the  country,  which,  up  to  this  evening,  had 
been  his  chief  interest  in  life. 

Tottenham  Place  was  a  huge  establishment,  but 
there  was  only  one  really  interesting  room  in  it.  This 
room,  the  library,  its  owner  had  made  his  home  until 
it  had  become  a  very  part  of  him,  and  a  faithful  reflec- 
tion of  his  personality.  In  this  room,  walled  about 
with  books  he  never  read  and  which  were  mouldering 
to  decay,  his  lordship  ate  and  drank,  transacted  busi- 
ness, and  entertained  his  friends  and  his  enemies. 
There,  deep  in  the  oaken  panelling,  lay  embedded  the 
end  of  a  broken  foil  with  which  a  Jacobite  spy  had 
treacherously  drawn  upon  him,  thrust  at  his  heart,  and 
missed. 

28 


The  King's  Agent 

Lord  Tottenham  would  never  allow  the  steel  to  be 
removed.  He  said  it  was  a  refreshment,  now  that  he 
was  getting  gouty,  to  see  before  him  a  proof  that 
he  had  been  active  once.  The  sequel  of  the  story  he 
refused  to  talk  about.  When  pressed  haro7  by  a  friend, 
he  would  take  a  pinch  of  snuff  and  kick  aside 
a  rug  at  the  other  end  of  the  room.  The  floor  was 
polished  oak,  but  at  this  place  there  was  a  long  black 
stain. 

"  He  fought  well,"  my  lord  would  say,  then  he 
kicked  the  rug  back,  and  changed  the  subject. 

Throughout  the  room  were  trophies  of  the  chase, 
specimens  of  British  fauna,  stuffed  with  my  lord's  own 
hands,  such  as  in  these  days  though  sportsmen  see, 
they  never  catch.  A  monstrous  pike,  a  white  otter,  a 
grinning  wild-cat,  almost  leopard  size,  a  perch  weigh- 
ing above  five  pounds.  In  the  corners  of  the  room  were 
fishing-rods  and  guns,  all  neatly  placed  in  racks — more 
of  his  lordship's  handiwork.  Over  the  great  fire-place 
hunting  whips,  a  pair  of  foils  in  good  condition,  and 
beneath,  portraits  of  the  Tottenham  racing  stud,  the 
finest  in  the  country. 

As  a  centre-piece  this  night,  completing  the  pic- 
ture and  bringing  all  its  various  features  into  harmony, 
was  my  lord  himself,  sitting  in  his  great  arm-chair, 
mixing  for  a  night-cap  a  special  and  particular  brew 
of  brandy  punch.  The  Earl  of  Tottenham  was  as  fine 
an  example  of  the  English  nobleman  of  the  period  as 
one  might  find  in  a  day's  march.  Broad  in  the  shoul- 
ders and  deep  in  the  chest,  with  brawny  hands,  and 
limbs  a  lad  of  twenty  might  have  envied,  they  were 
so  straight  and  muscular.  He  carried  himself  well, 
and,  despite  his  fifty  years  and  increasing  weight,  was 
in  hard  condition.  His  face  was  not  refined.  The 
jaw  was  too  square,  the  lips  too  full.  But  it  was  the 

29 


The  King's  Agent 

'face  of  a  good  sportsman,  keen,  shrewd,  firm — a  man 
of  quick  perception,  strong  will,  and  courage;  a  bad 
enemy,  and  a  good  friend. 

The  water  in  the  kettle  boiled,  and  Lord  Totten- 
ham was  very  busy  for  a  few  minutes,  watched  by 
Hugh  with  respectful  interest;  for  the  art  of  making 
really  good  punch  was  a  coveted  one,  and  Lord  Tot- 
tenham's brew  was  famous.  The  business  done,  my 
lord  critically  sipped  his  mixture,  and  while  Hugh 
praised  it,  reached  out  a  long  arm  for  a  pipe  hanging 
on  the  wall. 

"  The  first  time  we  have  spent  an  evening  together, 
lad,  since  the  old  man  died." 

"  I  should  have  been  here  before,"  Hugh  answered 
hastily,  but  I — but  there  have  been  so  many  engage- 
ments  " 

"Pshaw!"  ejaculated  his  lordship.  "Of  course 
there  are  engagements.  An't  you  young — and  I  old? 
You  have  the  new  plays  to  see,  and  the  cards,  and  the 
pretty  women.  Hey,  what!  Frowning!  Ho,  ho,  ho! 
spoil  not  your  manhood  by  a  frown.  'Fore  gad, 
you  are  your  father's  son,  lad !  And  your  father  was — 
well — he  was  my  friend  and  Jack  Churchill's — I  mean 
Marlborough's — in  the  blessed  Restoration  days.  Ho, 
ho,  ho !  "  and  his  lordship  laughed  until  he  choked  him- 
self. 

Hugh  flushed  to  the  roots  of  his  hair,  and  did  not 
laugh.  He  was  of  a  fair  complexion — a  great  tribula- 
tion to  him — and  had  curly  hair — a  worse  misfortune 
still,  in  his  eyes — that  grew  long  enough  to  reach  his 
shoulders.  He  wore  it  naturally,  without  powder  or 
peruke.  His  eyes,  set  wide  apart,  were  blue  as  a  sum- 
mer sky,  and  though  soldiering  had  roughened  his 
cheek,  tightened  his  lips,  and  straightened  his  jaw,  and 
from  a  height  of  six  feet  two  inches  he  could  survey 

30 


The  King's  Agent 

the  world  from  a  distinctly  independent  standpoint, 
he  looked  very  young  and  fresh.  He  spoke  now. 
with  a  curious  abruptness.  "You  said  once,  my  lord, 
that  I  was  my  mother's  son." 

Lord  Tottenham  became  closely  interested  in  his 
pipe.  "  You  have  not  forgot  your  mother,"  he  said 
softly.  Hugh  gave  a  bitter  laugh. 

"  When  I  do,  my  lord,  I  shall  be  worse  than  any, 
of  my  ancestors." 

Lord  Tottenham  glanced  keenly  up.  Hugh  was 
still  flushed,  but  his  teeth  were  set  now  and  he  was 
looking  grimly  into  the  fire.  There  was  no  lack  of 
strength  about  the  face,  but  Lord  Tottenham  thought 
it  very,  very  young. 

"  Your  father  was  a  brave  and  generous  man,  my 
boy." 

"  He  left  my  mother  " — and  Hugh  looked  grimmer 
still — "  while  he  spent  her  money  and  his  own  in  town. 
Because  of  her  poverty  she  slowly  killed  herself  with 
work — the  hardest  work.  I  judge  him  not,  nor  any 
other  man,  but  the  truth's  the  truth." 

Lord  Tottenham  sighed. 

"  And  'twas  I  who  told  you,  when  first  you  joined 
the  army.  I  thought  that  you  should  know  it  for  her 
sake.  But  maybe  I  was  wrong.  Poor  Ralf ! " 

"  I  have  thanked  you  on  my  knees,"  Hugh  cried 
earnestly.  "  It  has  held  me  back  from — from  doing 
things  time  and  again.  But  it  is  just  this  makes  me 
grudge  that  you  should  think  I  had  followed  his  ex- 
ample." 

Lord  Tottenham  grunted  disapprovingly.  He  had 
lit  his  pipe,  and  was  now  in  that  condition  of  repose- 
fulness  which  good  tobacco  produces  in  all  well-regu- 
lated minds  and  bodies ;  and  he  resented  Hugh's  stren- 
uousness,  as  an  elderly  tom-cat,  who  has  seen  the 

31 


The  King's  Agent 

world,  resents  the  simplicity  of  some  young  puppy 
that  he  has  taken  under  his  protection. 

"  Pish !  "  he  growled.  "  Are  you  a  Puritan,  then ! 
I  smell  you — I  smell  you.  A  rank  one,  too.  But  cheer 
up ;  your  time  will  come.  'Sh !  don't  draw  on  me ! 
You  are,  at  present,  all  too  innocent  to  be  alive,  and 
I  must  change  the  subject,  or  I'll  quarrel  with  you.  I 
detest  all  Puritans,  and  ever  did,  and  ever  will." 

"  Yet  my  mother  was  one,  and  you  were  her  best 
friend,  my  lord,"  said  Hugh  smiling.  "  And  to  me 
you  have  been  a  guardian  so  vigilant  and  wise  that 
in  the  service  I  have  lived  on  less  than  any  other 
officer." 

Lord  Tottenham  groaned  deeply.  "  I  have  often 
grieved  over  that,  and  pictured  how  your  ears  would 
grow  longer  year  by  year,  your  eyes  turn  up,  and 
your  lips  turn  down.  I  would  have  lost  a  limb  if  I 
could  have  withheld  the  promise  to  your  mother  to 
preach  morality  to  you.  But  she  beseeched  me  on  her 
death-bed,  so  I  gave  my  tongue  a  twist  and  sent  ye 
pious  counsel.  God  forgive  me!  And  now,  on  my 
own  hearthstone,  you  stand  in  judgment  over  me. 
Well-a-day,  well-a-day!  Yet  methinks  there  will  be 
no  lack  of  spending  now,  eh  ?  Tell  me  you  can  spend, 
and  set  my  mind  at  rest." 

Hugh  looked  a  trifle  foolish. 

"  There  is  little  left,  I  fear,  of  the  hundred  pounds 
I  had  three  days  ago.  The  stakes  were  high,  and  my 
luck  was  bad  last  night." 

"  A  hundred  in  three  days ! "  purred  his  lordship 
complacently.  "  Then  there  is  hope !  Blood  tells — 
blood  always  tells.  You  are  a  Montgomery,  and  if 
you  weren't,  let  me  tell  ye,  your  mother's  father  was 
no  crop-ear.  Many  a  good  bottle  of  wine  had  he,  they 
say,  with  his  friend,  old  Noll,  for  black-hearted  regi- 

32 


The  King's  Agent 

cide  as  Cromwell  was,  he  was  no  puling  water-drinker. 
And  now,  there  will  be  no  lack  of  wine  for  you,  nor  of 
play,  nor  of — of — devil  take  it,  lad,  of  all  else  that 
makes  life  joyous,  and  turns  a  boy  into  a  man.  Tell 
me  this,  now ;  you  do  not  hate  women,  do  ye  ?  I  have 
heard  there  are  such  men,  though,  thank  my  stars,  I've 
never  hit  on  'em." 

Hugh  burst  out  laughing,  and  held  up  his  glass. 

"  The  health  of  all  the  women  in  the  world.  If 
you  knew  how  I  have  bewailed  my  poverty  when  the 
rest  were  off  to  foot  it  at  a  ball,  and  I  had  to  stay  be- 
hind because  I  was  too  poor !  But  that's  over,  thanks 
to  Uncle  Dan.  Women!  You'll  see,  my  lord.  The 
estate  I  intend  buying  is  for  one  now ;  but  if  there's  a 
maid  in  England  that  comes  up  to  my  ideal,  it  will  be 
for  two,  within  a  year.  But  I  have  seen  none  yet,  so 
this  is  foolish  talk." 

"  Foolish !  "  cried  his  lordship  with  a  disgusted  face. 
"  Most  accursed  foolish.  You  marry !  Gad !  Talk  of 
marriage  five  years  hence,  when  the  world,  and  the 
men — ay,  and  women — mark  ye  that,  boy — women — 
have  given  you  some  taste  and  judgment  about  things, 
and  have  driven  wisdom  into  your  rattle-pate.  Marry ! 
Heaven  forbid!  But  now,  a  truce  to  nonsense.  On 
the  morning  after  to-morrow  you  are  to  fight  Karl 
Brownker.  How  many  men  have  you  fought  already, 
and  whom  ?  " 

Lord  Tottenham's  voice  was  now  sharp,  curt,  and 
business-like.  Hugh  shrugged  his  shoulders  care- 
lessly. 

"  This  is  my  first  with  foils." 

Lord  Tottenham  dropped  his  pipe — a  very  pre- 
cious, deeply-coloured  clay — and  deliberately  stamped 
it  into  powder.  Then  he  swore  a  most  improper  oath, 
twice.  Then  he  lay  back  in  his  chair,  and  gasped  out : 

33 


The  King's  Agent 

"  And  you  meet  Brownker.  Boy,  you're  as  good 
as  dead — as  good  as  dead." 

Hugh  coolly  stirred  his  toddy. 

"  That  is  as  it  may  be.  That  man  dared  to  slander 
Marlborough.  I  could  do  naught  else,  and  if  God 
wills  it " 

"  God !  "  interrupted  the  earl,  "  God  hath  not  much 
to  do  with  duels,  boy;  nor,  I  fear,  with  Jack  Marl- 
borough.  Pish !  don't  look  at  me  like  that.  I  say  you 
were  in  the  wrong  to-night.  What  Marlborough  can 
have  done,  the  Lord  knows ;  but  Brownker  is  an  officer 
of  the  King's  household,  and  was  within  his  rights. 
None  but  a  madman  would  have  drawn  him  on  to 
blood." 

"  Your  lordship  did  give  me  an  example,"  Hugh 
said  demurely. 

"  I  ?  Drat  you !  That  was  another  matter.  And 
two  fools  don't  make  a  wise  man,  younker,  any  more 
than  a  smooth-spoken,  pretty-faced,  double-edged 
courtier,  like  my  old  friend  Jack  Churchill,  makes  a 
hero.  Mark  that !  " 

Hugh  crimsoned  all  over. 

"  I  pray  you,  leave  my  general  alone,  my  lord.  I 
will  not  hear  him  so  miscalled,  even  by  you." 

"  Hoity,  toity,"  cried  his  lordship.  "  What?  Touch 
not  the  Lord's  anointed !  Let  me  tell  you,  boy,  I  have 
known  this  noble  person  thirty  odd  years " 

"  Your  lordship  has  never  served  under  him." 

"  No,  praised  be  the  Lord,  else  I  had  been  insubor- 
dinate a  dozen  times  a  week.  Hugh,  your  freshness  is 
amazing,  and  on  my  soul,  doth  begin  to  pall.  Marl- 
borough  hath  qualities ;  oh,  he  hath  qualities.  I  will 
give  Jack  his  due.  Did  we  not  fish  and  hunt  together 
as  boys,  and  make  love  together,  too,  long  years  ago ! 
Why,  there  was  a  day  when  Mistress  Sarah  Jennings 

34 


The  King's  Agent 

and  myself —  But  no  more  of  that.  In  short,  we  have 
been  intimates  near  all  our  lives,  and  are  so  still.  I 
love  Jack.  I  can't  help  loving  him.  But  I  know  him. 
Ton  my  word,  you  will  tell  me  next  I  do  not  know 
myself." 

Lord  Tottenham  spoke  with  heat,  and  a  convincing 
emphasis,  but  if  he  thought  to  impress  Hugh  he  was 
far  out  of  his  reckoning.  The  young  soldier  only 
waited  with  ill-concealed  impatience  until  his  lordship 
had  finished. 

"  Lord  Marlborough,  my  lord,"  he  exclaimed,  "  I 
do  assure  you,  I  think  the  greatest  man  alive.  At 
Walcourt,  through  the  indulgence  of  my  colonel,  I 
was  on  staff  duty,  and  was  near  him  more  than  once. 
It  was  a  stiff  engagement,  the  result  long  doubtful. 
Our  officers  were  distraught,  the  Prince  of  Waldeck  in 
despair.  But  Marlborough,  when  defeat  seemed  cer- 
tain, when  the  foot  were  driven  back,  the  guns  silenced, 
and  the  town  like  to  be  taken  by  assault,  sat  his  horse 
as  serenely  as  if  victory  were  sure.  He  was  like 
one  waiting  for  a  word  from  heaven.  Of  a  sudden  he 
spoke  to  the  prince  and  pointed  with  his  finger.  The 
prince  nodded,  and  then  Marlborough  struck  his  blow, 
and,  marking  the  one  weak  spot  in  the  enemy's  bat- 
talion, led  the  Life  Guards  'gainst  their  flank.  Charge 
after  charge  we  made.  It  was  no  child's  play ;  but  at 
length  the  lines  were  broken ;  they  fled ;  their  whole 
army  fell  into  confusion,  and  we  held  the  field.  The 
King,  they  say,  gave  the  prince  the  credit  of  it  all ;  but 
we  know  who  won  that  victory.  Ay — and  who  beat 
the  Irish  at  Kinsale  and  Cork,  and  whom  we'll  follow 
— if  he  were  to  say  the  word — to  the  pit  itself." 

Lord  Tottenham  nodded  with  a  grunt.  His  brow 
had  cleared.  Hugh's  enthusiasm  was  not  without 
effect. 

35 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Well,  well ;  so  be  it.  I  am  no  soldier."  Then, 
rising  with  a  yawn,  "  To  bed,  my  boy.  To-morrow  we 
will  go  more  particularly  into  this  business  of  the  duel. 
But  not  to-night." 

They  went  to  Hugh's  bed-chamber.  As  Lord  Tot- 
tenham was  about  to  close  the  door,  Hugh  stopped 
him. 

"  I  crave  a  favour  of  you." 

"  And  welcome,  lad." 

"  A  week  since  I  wrote  to  my  Lord  of  Marl- 
borough,  asking  permission  to  pay  my  respects  to  him. 
He  replied  most  kindly,  and  invited  me  to  ride  down 
to  St.  Albans  six  days  hence.  I  have  resolved  to  go 
to-morrow,  as  it  may  be  the  only  opportunity  I  shall 
ever  have.  Would  you — is  it  asking  too  much  ? — will 
you  ride  with  me  ?  " 

Lord  Tottenham  swore  aloud. 

"  What !  Zounds !  Ride  twenty  miles  to  see  this 
Lord  Marlborough?  "  Then  he  laughed.  "  I  am  jeal- 
ous, on  my  oath,  as  any  woman.  Yet,  we  will  go.  The 
thought  strikes  me — but  that  is  my  business — we  will 
go.  Now,  to  sleep  with  you.  They  shall  call  ye  be- 
times, before  we  start.  I  have  some  little  turns  of  fence 
to  show  you  that  may  be  useful.  Good-night;  sleep 
sound,  my  boy." 

He  retreated  hastily  to  cut  short  Hugh's  thanks, 
then  walked  very  slowly  to  his  own  chamber,  set  his 
candle  down,  and  paced  the  room. 

"  Marlborough,"  he  said  to  himself.  "  Jack  Marl- 
borough.  Hugh  hath  writ  to  him,  and  Marlborough 
writes  back,  and  Brownker  said — what  did  Brownker 
say?"  He  shook  his  head.  "  I  can't  remember,  but  I 
know  that  when  he  found  Hugh  was  like  to  go  to 
Marlborough's  house  he  hardened  down  and  brought 
the  quarrel  to  a  head.  It  is  clear  Marlborough  is  the 

36 


The  King's  Agent 

magnet  that  draws  that  Brownker  and  Hugh  to  death" 
gripe.  They  fight  on  Marlborough.  And  if  Jack  knew 
it!  Gad!  there  is  hope.  Jack  loves  not  duels.  He 
shall  be  told.  He  shall  prevent  it.  At  least  the  chance 
is  worth  a  ride.  So  that  is  settled." 

His  lordship  yawned  and  undressed.  By  the  time 
he  was  in  bed,  a  reaction  had  set  in. 

"  Is  it  worth  it  ?  I  had  forgot  she  will  be  there. 
Yet  I  must  go  now."  He  sighed  heavily  and  shivered. 
"  The  gods  grant  her  temper  is  in  order." 

He  closed  his  eyes,  and  began  to  get  drowsy. 

"  A  beauty — what  a  beauty !  But  a  devil.  A  good 
wife,  they  say,  and  a  true  one,  yet  the  Lord  be  thanked 
— the  Lord  be  thanked — it  was  not  I  who  married 
Sarah." 

And  then  he  fell  asleep. 


37 


CHAPTER   IV 

THOSE  were  days  when  men  kept  early  hours. 
Breakfast  was  served  by  candle-light  at  six  o'clock. 
By  seven,  the  morning  being  clear  and  fine,  Lord  Tot- 
tenham and  Hugh  were  at  work  with  the  foils  on  the 
terrace,  and  by  eight  word  was  brought  by  a  groom 
that  the  horses  were  ready  for  the  St.  Albans  expe- 
dition. 

The  earl  was  not  sorry.  He  had  been  a  fencer  in 
his  day,  and  was  able  to  teach  Hugh  much ;  but  the  on- 
slaughts of  the  young  soldier  were  extremely  vigor- 
ous, and  his  lordship  was  very  tired. 

"  Keep  your  head,  lad,  and  you  may  get  through 
yet.  You  have  a  marvellous  reach,  and  a  rare,  quick 
eye." 

"  They  used  to  tell  me,"  Hugh  said  modestly,  "  that 
I  had  a  strong  arm." 

"  Humph !  "  growled  his  lordship,  tenderly  feeling 
the  muscles  of  his  arm.  "  That  is  true.  Yet  think  not 
to  hold  your  own  with  Brownker.  The  most  I  hope 
for  is  that  he  will  be  careless,  seeing  the  rudeness  of 
your  style,  and  perchance,  even,  be  scratched  first. 
Then  I  could  stop  the  fight.  Strength!  Pish!  he  is 
strong  enough,  and  light  and  nimble  as  a  cat.  You 
are  as  stiff  made  as  some  great  mastiff  dog." 

This  opinion,  given  with  all  his  lordship's  accus- 
tomed vigour,  was  not  encouraging,  and  Hugh's  face 
fell. 

38 


The  King's  Agent 

They  dressed  and  took  the  road.  It  was  bright  and 
frosty,  and  the  horses  were  thoroughbred.  Hugh  soon 
recovered  his  spirits.  Lord  Tottenham  was  in  the 
best  of  humours. 

"  I  wonder,"  he  said  with  a  sudden  laugh,  "  how 
you  will  please  her  ladyship.  Mightily,  I  think,  until 
she  finds  you  not  as  simple  as  you  look." 

He  wagged  his  head  and  chuckled,  as  if  in  antici- 
pation of  mirth  to  come. 

"  Tell  me  of  the  countess,"  said  Hugh  eagerly. 
"  In  the  army  men  said  she  was  the  greatest  beauty  at 
the  court,  though  past  thirty." 

"  Hem !  "  coughed  his  lordship  gravely,  his  eyes 
twinkling.  "  And  what  else  did  they  say  ?  " 

"  That  she  had  so  great  a  spirit  even  the  Queen 
Mary  could  scarce  contradict  her,  which  was  why  the 
countess  seldom  goes  to  court." 

The  earl  began  to  laugh  internally,  while  Hugh 
went  on  in  all  sincerity : 

"  A  worthy  mate  she  must  be,  by  all  accounts,  for 
our  great  general." 

Lord  Tottenham  stopped  laughing. 

"  Egad !  "  he  cried  impatiently,  "  has  the  man  con- 
quered Europe  then  ?  " 

"  He  might  if  the  King — "  Hugh  stopped  here, 
remembering  last  night. 

"  Were  of  your  opinion  ?  "  Lord  Tottenham  said 
testily.  "  Then  I  will  tell  you  a  state  secret.  His 
Majesty  thinks  just  the  same,  and  has  turned  my  Lord 
Maryborough  out,  fearing  lest  he  might  conquer 
Europe — for  King  James." 

"  You  don't  believe  that  lie,  my  lord  ?  " 

Hugh  looked  severely  into  his  lordship's  face,  and 
Lord  Tottenham  felt  like  a  prisoner  called  upon  to 
plead. 

39 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Nay,  I  do  not,"  he  answered  grimly.  "  Because 
it  would  not  profit  Maryborough.  He  would  lose  all 
here,  and  James  is  a  bad  paymaster.  If  it  did  profit 
Jack,  well,  I  do  not  know.  Look  not  so  savage.  If 
you  go  to  draw  on  all  who  distrust  Marlborough  you'll 
have  to  fight  half  England  and  every  man  upon  the 
Privy  Council,  beginning  with  myself." 

St.  Albans  was  reached  in  three  hours — a  brisk  and 
bustling  town.  They  trotted  through  it  without  pause, 
up  the  long  hill  and  along  the  market-place,  leav- 
ing the  abbey  on  their  left,  and  so  onward  to  the  strag- 
gling hamlet  of  Sandridge,  from  which  could  be  seen, 
embowered  in  trees,  their  destination,  Hollywell 
House. 

The  road  here  was  little  better  than  a  lane;  low 
hedges  on  either  side,  dividing  it  from  large  fields  of 
cultivated  land.  To  the  left  the  ground  rose  to  some 
height,  topped  by  a  clump  of  trees. 

Suddenly  Lord  Tottenham,  whose  eyes  were  roving 
the  country  round,  pulled  in  with  an  exclamation. 

"  Look  ye,  lad,  on  the  top  of  yonder  hill.  Is  not  a 
petticoat  there?  Tell  me.  Your  eyes  are  younger 
than  mine." 

"  A  man  and  a  woman,  my  lord,  are  just  within  the 
trees." 

Lord  Tottenham  gave  a  whoop  like  a  boy. 

"  Then  there's  game  afoot.  Curse  it  all,  Hugh,  if 
you  die  to-morrow,  you  must  live  to-day.  Ask  no 
questions  now,  but  follow  me."  And,  spurring  his 
horse,  the  earl  put  him  at  the  hedge,  cleared  it  and  gal- 
loped up  the  hill. 

Hugh  followed,  nothing  loth,  and  they  rapidly  ap- 
proached the  trees.  The  field  was  extensive,  the 
ground  heavy,  and  the  horses  soon  began  to  show  signs 
of  distress.  Lord  Tottenham  pulled  up. 

40 


The  King's  Agent 

*  They  have  had  twenty  miles  of  road.  We  must 
get  down,  and  breathe  them." 

They  dismounted  and  walked  on  leisurely.  The 
figures  they  had  seen  had  disappeared  over  the  brow 
of  the  hill,  but  a  brisk  breeze  was  blowing  from  the 
trees,  and  now  bore  with  it  the  sound  of  voices.  Hugh 
could  not  distinguish  any  words,  but  Lord  Tottenham, 
as  became  an  old  sportsman,  had  sharper  ears. 

"  Listen !  "  he  cried,  speaking  in  an  excited  whis- 
per. "  What  is  that  ?  Something  is  amiss.  By  Gad ! 
this  is  an  adventure.  Give  me  your  horse,  and  get  you 
forward  afoot.  Hark  !  Run,  boy,  run — run — run !  " 

A  sharp  gust  had  brought  words  that  could  not  be 
mistaken,  and  without  reply  Hugh  threw  the  reins  into 
his  lordship's  hand,  and  dashed  madly  up  the  hill. 

"  Sir,  you  are  mad !  "  cried  a  voice — a  woman's 
voice.  "  Stand  back  or  I  strike." 

"  Strike  then,  pretty  one,"  replied  another  voice,  in 
a  tone  that  made  Hugh  clutch  his  riding-whip  with  a 
murderous  grip.  "  For  every  blow  I'll  have  a  dozen 
kisses.  We're  alone,  my  sweet." 

"  Back !    The  whip  is  loaded." 

The  answer  was  a  low,  hoarse  laugh.  Then  came 
the  sound  of  a  blow,  a  savage  curse,  and  then  Hugh 
reached  the  brow  of  the  hill. 

Twenty  paces  off,  in  a  hollow  of  the  ground,  was  a 
man  with  a  girl  in  his  arms,  whom  he  held  despite 
her  frantic  struggles  as  easily  as  if  she  were  a  baby.  A 
whip  lay  on  the  ground,  and  from  the  man's  forehead 
oozed  a  streak  of  blood.  He  was  a  long,  gaunt  person- 
age, with  a  narrow,  cadaverous  face,  sallow  and 
unhealthy,  his  dress  a  clergyman's,  considerably  the 
worse  for  wear. 

Neither  the  man  nor  his  victim  perceived  Hugh, 
and  the  first  hint  the  former  received  of  the  presence 

41 


The  King's  Agent 

of  a  third  person  was  the  grip  of  strong  fingers  and  a 
swinging  blow  on  the  crown  from  the  butt  of  a  heavy 
riding-stock.  The  shock  of  the  blow  and  still  more 
the  surprise  of  the  attack  caused  the  ruffian  to  let  the 
girl  go,  and  stare  stupidly  at  his  assailant,  who  there- 
upon delivered  a  second  blow,  which,  descending  full 
upon  his  mouth,  made  havoc  of  lips  and  teeth.  At  this 
he  gave  a  yell  like  a  beast,  and  throwing  forward  a 
pair  of  long  arms,  caught  Hugh  by  the  throat. 

The  whip  was  useless  now,  and  Hugh  stood  in 
danger  of  his  life,  for  the  man  had  fingers  like  an  ape. 
They  closed  about  Hugh's  throat  with  a  vicelike  grip, 
and  had  they  clinched,  he  would  have  been  strangled 
before  Lord  Tottenham  could  have  reached  them.  But 
Hugh  coolly  met  the  attack  with  two  blows  in  the 
face  so  straight  and  heavy  that  the  man's  arms 
dropped,  and,  reeling  back,  he  stumbled  and  fell  on  the 
ground. 

The  force  of  the  blows  and  the  fall  cowed  him,  and 
he  held  up  his  hands  for  mercy,  but  no  mercy  was  in 
Hugh's  face.  Winding  the  lash  of  his  whip  about  the 
stock,  he  raised  his  hand  to  strike  again.  Before  it 
could  descend,  however,  a  hand  caught  his  arm,  and 
the  girl  he  had  rescued  had  thrust  herself  between 
him  and  his  enemy. 

"  Hold,  I  beg  you !    Hold,  I  say !  " 

Hugh  stared  in  blank  amazement.  He  had  vaguely 
thought  of  this  damsel  as  reposing  somewhere  on  the 
ground,  bathed  in  hysterical  tears.  But  not  at  all. 
Though  her  face  was  flushed  and  quivering,  and  her 
hair  dishevelled,  she  was  perfectly  self-possessed,  and 
now  assumed  complete  control  of  the  situation. 

"  I  pray  you,  stay  your  hand,  sir,"  she  said.  "  You 
have  given  him  his  deserts.  Now  let  him  go." 

"  Go,  madam !  "  Hugh  panted,  trying  to  put  her  on 
42 


The  King's  Agent 

one  side  without  rudeness.  "  I  have  only  just  begun 
upon  him." 

The  grasp  on  his  arm  tightened. 

"  Your  pardon,  sir,"  was  the  peremptory  rejoinder. 
"  He  is  my  servant.  Mr.  Robert  Young " — glanc- 
ing over  her  shoulder  at  the  man — "  be  off,  this  in- 
stant, and  let  me  never  see  your  face  again.  And  mark 
me  well,  but  for  your  cloth,  this  gentleman  had  rightly 
done  his  will  upon  you." 

The  person  addressed  needed  no  second  bidding. 
Without  a  word  of  reply  he  sprang  to  his  feet  and  fled 
down  the  hill. 

Hugh  was  excessively  angry,  and  forgot  his  man- 
ners. 

"  I  have  a  mind  to  ride  him  down  now,"  he  cried. 
"  He  is  no  parson,  but  some  villain  counterfeit.  This 
kindness  is  an  encouragement  to  crime." 

The  girl  laughed,  a  silvery,  musical  laugh,  which, 
in  spite  of  Hugh's  anger,  thrilled  him  strangely. 

"  My  word,  sir,  if  this  is  your  kindness,  what  are 
you  like,  pray,  when  one  puts  you  out  of  countenance? 
But,  indeed — indeed — think  me  not  ungrateful  for 
your  kindness,"  her  face  suddenly  softening.  "  I  know 
not  how  to  express  my  thanks.  Yet,  of  a  truth,  I 
could  not  have  the  man,  be  he  what  he  may,  killed  be- 
fore my  eyes.  Why,  pardon  me,  this  surely  is  the  Earl 
of  Tottenham." 

His  lordship  had  followed  Hugh  with  extreme  de- 
liberation, and  listened  with  great  amusement  to  the 
dispute  between  the  young  people.  Now  he  doffed  his 
hat  with  a  deep  obeisance,  as  she  went  towards  him 
with  outstretched  hand. 

"  A  greeting,  my  lord.  This  is  a  great  surprise, 
and  a  most  pleasant  one." 

"  A  surprise,  Mistress  Isabel,"  he  answered  with 
4  43 


The  King's  Agent 

a  meaning  glance  at  Hugh,  "  which  you  owe  unto  my 
friend.  Allow  me  to  present  him.  Mr.  Hugh  Mont- 
gomery— the  Mistress  Isabel  Fretchville.  Mr.  Mont- 
gomery," the  earl  continued,  still  looking  hard  at 
Hugh,  "  detected  you  all  the  distance  from  the  road, 
and  would  not  be  content  till  I  gave  permission  to 
ride  over.  He  is  indeed  something  impetuous,  as  you 
may  have  heard  and  seen.  But  truly  " — his  voice 
deepening — "  in  this  instance  his  over-quickness  was 
a  providential  thing  for  you." 

Mistress  Isabel  blushed  rosy  red. 

"  I  am  most  obliged  to  your  friend,  my  lord.  But," 
forcing  a  laugh,  "  I  would  that  any  one  I  know  rather 
than  your  lordship  had  seen  me  in  this  plight.  I  shall 
now  never  hear  the  last  of  it — never !  " 

Lord  Tottenham  shook  his  finger  at  her.  "  That 
will  depend  on  your  behaviour  to  me,  mistress.  At 
present  I  am  so  consumed  with  envy  at  this  young  gen- 
tleman I  hardly  know  how  to  be  civil  to  him.  Would 
that  my  hand,  and  not  his,  had  been  your  weapon  of 
defence." 

"  A  very  feeble  weapon,"  Hugh  said  ruefully.  "  I 
had  hoped  to  have  broken  his  back,  or  my  whip 
upon  it." 

"  That  would  have  been  cruelty,"  the  young  lady 
said.  "  Besides,  my  Lord  of  Tottenham  will  tell  you, 
sir,  when  I  am  out  of  hearing,  that  this  has  served  me 
right.  And,  indeed,  I  should  not  have  trusted  myself 
alone  with  such  a  man,  though  he  did  pretend  to  be  a 
clergyman.  I  am  forever  forgetting,"  she  sighed  deep- 
ly, "  that  women  are  so  weak." 

"  On  my  oath,  then,  mistress,"  cried  Lord  Totten- 
ham laughing,  "  you  deserve  no  consideration  in  the 
world." 

They  were  now  strolling  slowly  towards  Hollywell 
44 


The  King's  Agent 

House.  Lord  Tottenham  had  handed  the  horses  over 
to  Hugh,  and  walked  beside  the  young  lady,  his 
hands  behind  his  back,  chatting  as  with  an  old  friend. 
Hugh  wondered  much,  and  deeply,  who  this  damsel 
could  be.  Clearly  she  must  be  a  person  of  some  con- 
sideration, for  the  earl,  in  a  score  of  little  ways,  gave 
her  that  deference  which  men  of  his  stamp  never  pay 
to  their  inferiors.  But  who  was  she  and  what  .  .  .  ? 
Never  in  his  life  had  Hugh  seen  any  one  quite  like 
Mistress  Isabel  Fretchville.  A  gray  felt  farmer's  hat 
covered  a  head  of  wavy  black  hair,  a  pair  of  very  bright 
brown  eyes,  rosy  cheeks,  and  a  mouth  and  chin 
as  square  as  a  man's.  Flung  over  her  shoulders  was  a 
rough  cape,  and  beneath  it  a  long,  straight  overcoat. 
Her  skirts,  of  thick  gray  cloth,  barely  reached  her 
ankles ;  and,  most  curious  of  all,  she  wore  jack-boots 
to  the  knee.  She  was  tall  and  slim,  and  might  perhaps 
be  handsome  in  feminine  garments,  but  in  this  half 
masculine,  and  entirely  unbecoming,  dress  she  looked 
extremely  strange. 

Lord  Tottenham  perceived  Hugh's  bewilderment, 
and  was  vastly  entertained  by  it;  but  presently  took 
compassion  on  him. 

"  It  was  said  in  Thatchford,  Hugh,"  he  remarked 
in  a  pause  of  his  conversation  with  Isabel,  "  that  in  all 
the  country  there  was  not  a  better  husbandman  than 
your  mother.  You  and  Mistress  Isabel  here  should  be 
akin.  This  estate  of  my  Lord  Marlborough's  could  not 
exist  a  day  without  her  stewardship." 

He  said  the  last  words  with  a  comically  wry  face. 

"  It  pleases  your  lordship  to  be  in  a  sarcastic  mood 
to-day,"  Isabel  said  with  spirit.  "  What  is  my  of- 
fence?" 

"  That  you  take  me  not  seriously,"  he  answered. 
"An  occupation  more  becoming  and  grateful  to  a 

45 


The  King's   Agent 

woman  than  your  own  no  man  could  wish  to  see — at 
least  no  man  of  the  stamp  of  this  Reverend  Robert 
Young." 

"  You  are  so  cruel,  my  lord,  that  I  will  appeal  for 
succour  to  Mr.  Montgomery.  Sir,  your  opinion  on  a 
point.  My  Lord  Tottenham  would  have  women  do 
nothing  but  work  worsteds,  nurse  little  dogs,  and  be- 
have for  all  the  world  like  those  dancing  dolls  men 
pull  with  wires.  Tell  me,  do  you  think  that  women 
should  be  dolls?" 

Hugh  did  think  so,  at  least  it  was  his  creed  that 
women  should  in  all  ways  be  the  opposite  of  men. 
But  this  pleading  voice — for  she  was  in  earnest — the 
bright,  inquiring  eyes,  appealing,  demanding  sympa- 
thy, were  too  much  for  all  his  principles. 

"  Indeed,  I  would  see  a  woman  do  all  that  she  has 
the  will  and  power  to  do,"  he  said.  "  And  I  believe — 
nay,  I  know  " — the  thought  of  his  mother  came  to  him, 
and  his  voice  became  earnest — "  there  are  women  that 
are  as  strong  as  and  far  braver  than  some  men." 

"  Bravo !  "  cried  Isabel  joyfully.  "  My  lord,  hear 
you  that?  Why,  sir,  if  you  will  believe  it,  Lord  Tot- 
tenham thinks  me  a  very  monster  because  I  earn  a  liv- 
ing by  hard  work,  and  labour  with  my  brains  as  well 
as  with  my  fingers.  But  if  you,  though  a  man,  hold 
your  opinion,  I  can  afford  to  laugh.  My  lord,  this  is 
a  glorious  victory." 

"  Why,  yes,"  he  admitted,  standing  aside  to  let  her 
pass.  They  were  at  the  house,  and  a  groom  had  taken 
the  horses  to  the  stable.  "  Or  rather,  I  should  say, 
your  ladyship  hath  made  a  conquest,  which  is  better 
still." 

Hugh  frowned  at  the  words,  fearing  what  was  to 
come.  But  the  young  lady  only  laughed,  as  if  used  to 
these  sallies. 

46 


The  King's  Agent 

"  You  shall  not  pluck  away  my  laurels.  Mr.  Mont- 
gomery always  speaks  the  truth,  or  his  face  belies  him. 
Wait  here,  gentlemen,  and  I  will  find  the  countess  and 
my  lord." 

She  had  ushered  them  into  a  large  and  handsome 
drawing-room  overlooking  the  lawn  and  the  road  be- 
yond, and  now  left  them,  whistling  merrily  as  she  went 
along  the  hall. 

"  She  is  my  Lady  Sarah's  cousin  once  removed," 
Lord  Tottenham  said,  answering  a  question  in  Hugh's 
face.  "  And,  by  Gad !  as  sweet  a  little  piece  as  you  will 
meet.  But  I  see  you  know  it." 

Hugh  tried  to  look  critical.  "  Her  dress  is  most 
uncouth,"  he  began. 

"  Bah !  "  cried  his  lordship,  "  what  of  that?  Doth 
not  her  face  and  form  shine  through?  Wait  till  you 
see  her  in  an  evening  gown.  She  has  the  arms,  neck, 
and  shoulders  of  a  goddess,  boy.  And  she  likes  you. 
But,  'pon  my  oath,  you  lied  most  scandalously.  You 
dog,  I  believe,  on  my  soul  I  do,  that  you  are  a  very 
rake  with  women.  Karl  Brownker  could  not  have 
beaten  that  one  speech." 

Hugh  tried  to  look  offended. 

"  I  said  what  was  partly  true,"  he  protested.  But 
Lord  Tottenham  would  not  listen. 

"  You  said  what  pleased  her.  Gad !  do  not  gain- 
say it.  I  admire  ye  for  y6ur  art.  Go  on — go  on.  This 
afternoon  you  shall  visit  the  estate  with  her  alone.  I 
doubt  not  she'll  let  you  take  her  hand.  She  has  no 
fear  of  men.  I  am  most  pleased  at  this.  A  man  of 
your  age,  if  he  is  cold  when  a  girl  smiles  on  him, 
should  be  shot." 

A  servant  now  entered  with  a  tankard  of  ale  and 
cut  short  the  discussion.  He  said  that  my  Lord  Marl- 
borough  was  out  a-walking,  but  my  lady  would  wait 

47 


The  King's  Agent 

upon  them  presently.  He  had  scarcely  departed  when 
they  heard  the  rustle  of  a  skirt,  and  thought  the  coun- 
tess had  arrived.  It  was,  however,  Mistress  Isabel, 
bearing  on  her  shoulders  a  blue-eyed,  curly-headed 
youngster,  about  two  years  old.  Hugh  stared  at  her 
spell-bound.  No  longer  was  she  in  a  man's  hat  and 
coat,  but  as  a  woman  should  be — most  becomingly  at- 
tired in  the  long,  flowing  dress  of  the  period — a  dress, 
alas,  so  soon  to  be  eclipsed  by  hoops,  quilted  satins,  and 
stiff  brocades.  She  had  left  them  a  personage  piquant 
but  peculiar,  she  returned  in  all  the  glory  and  halo  of 
a  radiant  womanhood.  And  Mistress  Isabel  knew  it. 
Demure  and  well-bred  as  she  appeared,  with  no  trace 
of  consciousness  in  her  manner  or  her  speech,  there 
was  a  barely  repressed  sparkle  in  her  brown  eyes,  and 
a  suspicious  dimple  round  her  mouth  which  spoke  vol- 
umes to  Lord  Tottenham.  She  did  not  look  at  Hugh, 
however,  or  appear  to  notice  him. 

"  Charles  has  come  to  greet  you,  my  lord. — Char- 
ley, say  how  d'ye  do  to  the  earl." 

But  Charley  was  at  the  age  when  the  intrusion  of 
strange  company  upon  his  presence  was  an  outrage  to 
all  his  susceptibilities — what  fond  mothers  call  the 
"  shy  age."  Instead  of  holding  out  his  hand,  he  turned 
his  back  on  Lord  Tottenham,  and  made  inarticulate, 
but  perfectly  unmistakable,  sounds  of  an  inhospitable 
and  extremely  definite  dislike.  Isabel  reproached  him, 
but  in  vain.  Then,  all  at  once,  after  stealing  a  furtive 
glance  at  both  gentlemen,  he  opened  his  arms  to  Hugh 
with  a  beaming  smile  and  an  emphatic  exclamation  of 
"  Dadda." 

It  was  useless  for  Isabel  to  assure  him  that  this 
was  a  case  of  mistaken  identity.  His  only  reply  was 
to  repeat  the  word  with  greater  emphasis  than  before ; 
and  Hugh,  being  highly  flattered  by  the  attention,  the 

48 


The  King's  Agent 

small  Turk  was  soon  planted  on  his  knee,  examining 
with  absorbed  interest  the  enormous  buttons  of  his 
riding-cape. 

"  A  shameless  rascal,  on  my  word,"  exclaimed 
Lord  Tottenham,  keeping  a  sharp  eye  upon  Isabel's 
face.  "  He  turns  from  me  to  this  puppy,  who  is  near 
as  young  and  foolish  as  himself,  and  flies  from  a  lady's 
arms." 

"  The  compliment  to  Mr.  Montgomery  is  marvel- 
lous," said  Isabel,  smiling.  "  I  have  never  before  been 
so  deserted." 

At  that  moment,  with  one  of  those  sudden  impulses 
common  to  small  children,  the  boy  held  out  his  arms 
to  be  taken  back  again.  As  Isabel  caught  him  up  he 
nestled  his  head  in  her  neck,  and  held  out  one  hand  to 
grasp  Hugh's,  saying  with  infantile  unction  and  com- 
placency : 

"  Dad,  dad ;  mum,  mum,  mum !  " 

"  On  my  word,"  cried  my  lord,  unaware  that  a  door 
behind  him  had  opened,  and  that  a  gentleman,  coming 
in  unannounced,  was  silently  observing  the  group,  "  he 
hath  united  both  of  you  in  the  bonds  of — ahem — a  life- 
long friendship.  Be  careful,  Hugh.  You  have  won 
his  favour  and  his  lady-love's ;  be  sure,  now,  you  do 
not  forfeit  it.  Those  whom  Charles  Churchill  hates 
his  fair  mistress  never  trusts." 

There  was  a  movement  at  the  door,  and  the  new- 
comer came  down  to  them.  Lord  Tottenham  and 
Hugh  turned,  and  the  earl  uttered  an  exclamation  that 
is  not  to  be  found  in  any  dictionary. 

"  Brownker !  "  he  exclaimed.    "  You  here !  " 

Mr.  Brownker  bowed  and  opened  his  lips  to  speak. 
His  voice,  however,  was  inaudible,  for  at  sight  of  his 
face  Master  Charley,  casting  his  arms  desperately 
about  Isabel's  neck,  lifted  up  his  voice  and  howled. 

49 


CHAPTER  V 

MR.  BROWNKER'S  appearance  was  a  bolt  from  the 
blue.  Even  Lord  Tottenham's  self-possession  failed 
him  and  he  muttered  strong  words  under  his  breath. 
As  for  Hugh,  if  a  troop  of  French  cavalry  had  ap- 
peared on  the  lawn,  and  he  had  been  called  on  to  sur- 
render in  the  name  of  King  Louis,  he  could  not  have 
been  more  taken  aback.  What  Mr.  Brownker's  own 
feelings  were  it  was  hard  to  discover.  He  saw  the  oth- 
ers before  they  perceived  him,  and  his  manner  was  the 
perfection  of  nonchalance  and  self-possession.  Pass- 
ing Lord  Tottenham  with  a  slight  bow  he  greeted  Isa- 
bel with  an  assumption  of  familiar  friendship  that 
made  Hugh  tingle  all  over. 

"  As  an  uninvited  and  unexpected  guest,"  he  said, 
making  himself  heard  with  difficulty,  as  Charley 
clinched  both  fists  and  screamed  with  passion,  "  I  must 
expect  a  left-handed  welcome.  Your  servant,  Master 
Churchill." 

"  He  deserves  a  sound  whipping,"  Isabel  ex- 
claimed, extending  her  hand  with  a  bright  nod  and 
smile.  "  Charley,  who  gave  you  that  squeaking  frog 
you  love  so  dearly  ?  You  have  no  manners,  sir,  and  no 
gratitude." 

But  Charley  was  not  in  the  least  ashamed  of  him- 
self, and  had  at  last  to  be  borne  away  raging  by  a 
nurse. 

"  The  day  will  come,"  Mr.  Brownker  said  prophet- 
50 


The  King's  Agent 

ically,  releasing  Isabel's  hand,  which  he  had  held  in  his 
distinctly  longer  than  was  at  all  necessary,  "  when  that 
boy  will  be  Prime  Minister  of  England." 

Isabel  laughed. 

"  Because  of  his  contempt  for  bribes  ?  " 

"  On  the  contrary,  because  he  never  will  refuse 
them,  nor  fail,  when  it  suits  his  interest  to  turn  his 
back  upon  the  men  who  helped  him  into  power." 

"  Indeed,"  said  Isabel  warmly,  "  I  trust  Charles 
will  never  be  so  great  a  knave  as  that." 

"  Then  he'll  not  be  a  Prime  Minister." 

"  If  Mr.  Brownker  doth  live  long  enough,"  Lord 
Tottenham  said  gaily  (his  lordship  had  now  quite  re- 
covered himself),  "I  would  not  stake  much  on 
Charles's  opportunities.  Those  two  will  be  enemies 
for  life." 

"  A  life,  my  lord,"  and  Mr.  Brownker  calmly  bowed 
to  Hugh,  "  sometimes  lasts  only  for  a  day.  Yet  if 
mine  last  a  hundred  years  " — he  spoke  now  with  a 
curious  deliberation  and  distinctness — "  so  long  as  I 
possess  the  friendship  of  the  Mistress  Isabel,  I  shall  be 
perfectly  content." 

Lord  Tottenham's  eyes  grew  wicked.  This  ap- 
pearance of  Karl  Brownker  had  blown  all  his  plans 
to  the  winds,  and  he  was  reckless  of  consequences. 

"  Faith !  "  he  exclaimed  cheerfully.  "  Mistress  Isa- 
bel hath  no  lack  of  friends.  She  has  made  one  more 
to-day — a  friend  in  need." 

Mr.  Brownker  started.  The  movement  was  very 
slight,  but  Lord  Tottenham  saw  it  and  rejoiced.  Isabel 
saw  it  too,  and  raised  her  head  with  a  very  becoming 
dignity. 

"  His  lordship  is  right.  Mr.  Montgomery  was  in 
very  truth  a  friend  in  need." 

"  You  honour  me  too  much,  dear  madam,"  HugK 


The  King's  Agent 

said,  looking  straight  into  Mr.  Brownker's  eyes.  "  It 
was  a  very  paltry  service.  But  I  will  do  my  best 
to  deserve  the  title  yet." 

"  You  should  know  the  circumstances  of  it,  Karl," 
Isabel  went  on,  and  at  her  familiar  usage  of  the  name 
it  was  Lord  Tottenham's  turn  to  start.  "  That  Master 
Robert  Young  you  commended  to  me  as  a  chaplain  to 
the  men  fell  a-drinking  yesterday,  and  had  to  be  given 
his  dismissal.  This  morning  under  a  pretence  of  snow- 
ing me  the  condition  of  the  ten-acre  field,  he  drew  me 
far  beyond  the  village,  and  then  dared  to  lay  hands 
upon  me.  But  for  Mr.  Montgomery,  who  was  passing 
with  the  earl,  I  should  have  been  in  a  sorry  plight. 
As  it  was,  however,  nothing  happened.  Nay,  I  tell 
you,  nothing." 

She  said  this  rapidly  and  with  emphasis.  Mr. 
Brownker's  face  had  paled  to  the  lips. 

"  That  devil  dared  to  touch  you,"  he  said  in  a  voice 
so  tense  with  passion  that  even  Lord  Tottenham  was 
startled.  "  That  damned  hound.  Montgomery,  you 
spared  him  not  ?  " 

"  I  did  my  best,"  Hugh  muttered,  "  but " 

"  He  still  lives,  then.  When  I  find  him,  which  will 
not  be  long — not  long,  I  will  draw  his  blood  from  him 
in  drops." 

It  is  a  ghastly  sight  to  see  a  self-contained  man 
lose  all  self-control.  Isabel  shuddered,  and  covered 
her  face  with  her  hand. 

"  Karl,  be  silent !  Stop,  I  say,  stop !  I  seem  to 
hear  the  poor  wretch  groaning  in  his  agony.  I  will 
not  have  him  touched.  Mr.  Montgomery  has  already 
punished  him  severely.  Let  him  alone.  Your  promise 
on  it,  here !  " 

She  spoke  in  the  arbitrary  tone  of  one  who  could 
enforce  obedience  to  her  commands.  Hugh  and  Lord 

52 


The  King's  Agent 

Tottenham  glanced  at  each  other  in  mute  dismay. 
Mr.  Brownker's  lips  relaxed  into  a  smile. 

"  I  will  promise  to  do  naught  that  is  not  according 
to  my  custom.  More  I  cannot  promise.  It  was  my 
fault,  Isabel." 

The  fierceness  had  gone  from  his  face.  His  voice 
was  low  and  tender. 

"  Well  said,"  exclaimed  Lord  Tottenham  briskly, 
drawing  the  attention  upon  himself.  He  spoke  to 
Brownker,  but  he  looked  at  Hugh.  Hugh's  eyes  were 
blazing,  and  his  teeth  were  set.  The  sight  of  the  man 
who  had  publicly  slandered  Marlborough  calmly  ma- 
king himself  at  home  in  Marlborough's  house  was  bad 
enough ;  but  to  see  him  making  love  to  this  fresh,  sweet 
girl  was  maddening.  Lord  Tottenham  saw  this,  and 
was  afraid.  At  all  risks  he  must  prevent  another  ex- 
plosion in  this  house. 

"  Well  said,"  he  repeated.  "  It  is  seldom  a  man  has 
the  honesty  to  blame  himself.  But  rest  easy,  Master 
Brownker.  Montgomery  had  the  villain  in  his  hands 
for  ten  good  minutes,  and  Montgomery's  hands,  as 
you  may  know,  are  hard  and  heavy." 

"  I  am  glad,"  Mr.  Brownker  replied  with  a  grim 
smile,  "  that  Mr.  Montgomery's  hands  have  this  time 
done  him  a  service.  The  Mistress  Isabel's  favour,  like 
that  of  most  ladies,  is  to  be  won  by  a  doughty  deed." 

"  It  is  not  to  be  lost,  at  least,"  she  retorted  with  a 
sudden  flush,  "  through  a  few  words,  as  my  dear  Lord 
Marlborough  lost  the  King's." 

"  That  was  a  shameful  and  abominable  act,"  Hugh 
cried.  Such  a  remark  in  Mr.  Brownker's  presence  was 
a  suicidal  one.  But  Hugh  was  not  in  the  mood  when 
a  man  measures  his  words.  Isabel  clapped  her  hands. 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart." 

"  Nonsense,"  exclaimed  Lord  Tottenham  before 

53 


The  King's  Agent 

Mr.  Brownker  could  retort.  "  I  will  not  have  the 
favour  of  any  king,  even  King  William's,  compared 
with  Mistress  Isabel's.  His  Majesty  has  many  cour- 
tiers, no  doubt,  but  all  men  are  hers."  He  made  an 
elaborate  bow,  and  Isabel  could  scarcely  keep  her 
countenance.  Such  a  high-flown  compliment  was  ex- 
tremely unlike  Lord  Tottenham. 

"  You  shame  us  both,  my  lord,"  Mr.  Brownker 
said,  smiling.  "  Yet  there  is  one  point  in  common  be- 
tween King  William's  court  and  this.  Men  get  their 
just  deserts." 

"  Doubtless  that  is  your  opinion,"  rejoined  the  earl 
demurely.  "  The  gossips  say  Mr.  Brownker  pays 
homage  assiduously  at  both,  and  not  without  success." 

It  was  a  random  shaft,  and  not  in  the  best  taste, 
but  it  went  home  to  the  feather,  which  was  all  my 
lord  desired.  He  was  fighting  for  his  life,  with  his 
eye  on  Hugh's  set  face. 

"  Your  gossips,  my  lord,"  Isabel  retorted  with 
spirit,  "  are  wondrous  witty  at  my  expense,  but  they 
should  tell  the  truth." 

Lord  Tottenham  laughed,  but  did  not  trouble  him- 
self to  reply.  He  had  heard  a  well-remembered  step 
in  the  hall,  and  knew  that  help  had  come.  The  words 
were  scarcely  out  of  Isabel's  mouth  when  a  servant 
threw  open  the  door,  and  the  mistress  of  the  house 
entered  at  last. 

Sarah,  Countess  of  Marlborough,  was  in  her  thirty- 
second  year;  but  her  brilliant  complexion,  her  vivaci- 
ty, and  small  delicate  features  gave  her  the  appearance 
of  a  girl  of  five-and-twenty.  She  was  a  great  beauty, 
and  far  handsomer,  Hugh  thought,  than  any  of  her 
portraits.  No  picture,  indeed,  has  done  her  justice, 
for  her  personality  was  so  potent  in  everything  she 
said,  and  looked,  and  did,  that  not  even  the  greatest 

54 


The  King's  Agent 

master  could  have  painted  that  face  as  her  friends  knew 
it.  A  great  beauty,  yet  one  quality  was  lacking.  No 
trace  of  gentleness  was  in  her  face.  It  was  dazzling, 
polished,  hard,  as  a  cut  diamond. 

"  My  Lord  Tottenham,"  she  said  in  clear,  rapid 
tones,  with  a  peculiarly  curt  articulation,  "a  welcome  to 
Hollywell.  Mr.  Brownker,  you  need  none.  This  gen- 
tleman, Mr.  Hugh  Montgomery,  shall  receive  one 
when  I  know  him  better.  And  now,  my  lord,  to  what 
do  we  owe  the  honour  of  your  visit,  pray  ?  " 

The  words  all  came  in  a  breath,  as  the  gentlemen 
made  their  obeisance.  An  unconventional  greeting 
enough,  but  highly  characteristic.  Sarah,  Countess  of 
Marlborough,  usually  said,  without  equivocation  or 
disguise,  exactly  what  she  meant. 

Lord  Tottenham  bowed  low  to  hide  a  smile. 

"  My  lord,  your  husband,  madam,  was  good  enough 
to  ask  me  to  ride  down  at  any  time,  and  since  he  did  me 
such  an  honour " 

"  Honour !  Your  pardon,  my  lord,  that  is  not  the 
word  to  use.  Honour  ?  Why,  my  husband,  for  daring 
to  speak  truth  to  his  Majesty  the  King  about  his 
agents — I  beg  Mr.  Brownker's  pardon,  I  mean  the 
Dutch-Englishmen  who  came  with  him  from  Holland, 
and  are  eating  up  our  country  like  a  swarm  of  rats — 
has  been  dismissed  from  office.  There  is  an  end  of 
honour  for  the  Earl  of  Marlborough." 

"  The  Earl  of  Marlborough's  favour,  madam,"  re- 
ioined  Lord  Tottenham,  "  must  always  be  an  honour 
to  his  friends." 

The  countess's  face  brightened.  "  Thank  you,  my 
lord,  for  that.  It  smacks  of  old  times  to  hear  such 
words  from  you.  Now  introduce  to  me  this  young 
friend  of  yours.  A  soldier,  as  I  hear,  and  perhaps  an- 
other honest  man." 

55 


The  King's  Agent 

Her  ladyship  was  eying  Hugh  keenly  all  this  time 
to  his  manifest  discomposure. 

"  A  friend  of  my  lord's,"  Lord  Tottenham  said, 
"  as  he  proved  himself  not  so  very  long  ago." 

"  What !  "  exclaimed  the  countess,  "  then  he  is  the 
gentleman —  But  I  must  not  betray  him.  I  like  your 
appearance,  sir,  and  am  sorry,  truly  sorry,  you  should 
be  so  wanting  in  wisdom  of  the  world  as  you  were  last 
night." 

Hugh  gave  a  violent  start,  but  he  had  yet  to  learn 
the  Lady  Sarah's  little  ways.  The  countess  went  on 
without  a  pause. 

"  A  man  who  dares  to  defend  the  reputation  of  a 
fallen  minister,  sir,  is  foolish  beyond  sense.  But  a  man 
who  lays  his  life  down  for  Lord  Marlborough's  good 
name — "  Her  voice  softened  now  into  an  exquisite 
graciousness,  and  she  made  Hugh  a  curtsey  such  as 
only  the  Sovereign  had  ever  received  from  her.  "  Mr. 
Montgomery,  such  a  man,  though  he  had  been  the 
poorest  soldier  in  the  army,  shall  be  more  honoured 
in  this  house  than  if  he  bore  the  proudest  name  in 
England." 

"  Gad,  my  boy ! "  cried  Lord  Tottenham,  "  not  a 
man  but  would  envy  you  for  this." 

"  My  lord,  my  lord !  "  cried  the  countess,  her  tone 
now  one  of  stinging  sarcasm.  "  You  make  a  sad  mis- 
take. One  man,  at  least,  scorns  Mr.  Montgomery's 
simplicity  with  all  his  soul.  Mr.  Brownker  here  has 
been  all  things,  and  done  all  things,  but  I  am  sure  he 
never  was  unwise." 

Mr.  Brownker  bowed. 

"  If  your  ladyship  commends  me,  then  my  conduct 
must  be  without  reproach." 

"  Yet  my  Lord  of  Tottenham  looks  sceptical.  I  beg 
you  prove  me  right,  sir,  and  before  this  company  say 

56 


The  King's  Agent 

what  you  think  of  a  man  who,  last  night,  at  the  St. 
James's  Club,  threw  back  with  violence  in  some 
slanderer's  teeth  an  insult  'gainst  John,  Earl  of  Marl- 
borough.  By  what  name  should  such  conduct  be  dis- 
tinguished, pray  ?  " 

Her  ladyship  smiled  most  sweetly  as  she  spoke,  and 
wound  an  affectionate  arm  round  Isabel's  waist,  her 
golden  head  against  the  girl's  dark  one — a  picture  for 
a  Raphael.  Hugh  watched  Isabel  anxiously,  and  saw 
a  look  of  growing  wonder  in  it.  He  breathed  more 
freely.  She,  at  least,  had  not  heard  about  last  night. 
Mr.  Brownker,  as  usual,  was  imperturbable. 

"  Your  ladyship  honours  my  judgment  too  highly. 
The  wisdom,  or  otherwise,  of  such  an  act  as  you  de- 
scribe depends  on  circumstances  which  you  have  not 
thought  worthy  of  mention.  But  in  my  poor  opinion, 
as  such  gallantry,  or  hardihood,  could  do  your  lord  no 
good,  and  might  be  most  inconvenient  to  the  speaker, 
I  should,  in  the  words  of  the  play  " — Mr.  Brownker 
made  Hugh  the  politest  of  bows — " '  write  him  down 
an  ass/  " 

At  this  Lady  Marlborough  gave  a  laugh,  but  there 
was  something  in  Hugh's  face,  though  he  was  smiling 
too,  that  made  her  ladyship  pause. 

"  Isabel,"  she  cried  sharply,  "  what  aileth  Charley 
boy?  I  found  him  in  a  pretty  taking  a  minute  since. 
Sally  said  he  had  been  startled.  I  promised  to  box  her 
ears  soundly  if  I  heard  there  was  anything  amiss." 

"  Alas !  "  said  Mr.  Brownker  mournfully,  "  my 
ears,  not  Sally's,  deserve  punishment.  Charley  cried 
when  I  came  in,  as  if  I  had  been  the  ogre  of  the 
legend." 

Lady  Marlborough's  eyes  danced  with  mischief. 
She  made  him  an  elaborate  mock  curtsey. 

"Your  pardon,  sir.  In  cultivating  insight  into 
57 


The  King's  Agent 

character  in  my  children,  I  forgot  to  teach  them  to 
conceal  their  wit." 

Mr.  Brownker  shrugged  his  shoulders.  "  Most 
children,  madam,  I  have  noticed,  imitate  their  elders." 

"  On  my  word,  then,  Isabel,"  exclaimed  the  coun- 
tess, "  you  must  have  a  care.  But,  sir,  I  pray  you 
out  of  your  abundant  wisdom  answer  me  another 
question.  Why  is  it  that  while  this  maid  Isabel 
hath,  I  believe,  whipped,  and  coaxed,  and  prayed 
Charley  on  her  knees  to  love  you,  yet  he  still  cries 
at  your  name,  and  flies  your  presence  as  if  it  were  the 
plague  ?  " 

Mr.  Brownker  made  her  a  low  obeisance. 

"  Because,  Charley,  madam,  is  your  ladyship's 
son." 

"  A  truth,  a  very  truth,"  cried  the  countess  with  a 
laugh  as  gleeful  as  a  girl's.  "  My  life,  sir,  have  a  care, 
or  your  wit  will  make  us  friends." 

"  The  dearest  ambition  of  my  life,"  Mr.  Brownker 
said  calmly.  But  her  ladyship  frowned  and  tapped  the 
floor  impatiently  with  her  foot. 

"  I  ask  no  man  to  foreswear  himself,  even  for  a 
jest." 

"  I  can  assure  you,  madam,  I  do  not  jest." 

"  Nor  yet  deceive  any  one."  Hugh  spoke  quietly, 
but  the  words  came  like  the  first  crack  of  thunder  in  a 
darkening  sky.  He  had  held  himself  in  by  main  force 
so  long  as  he  was  the  subject  of  their  talk,  but  Lord 
Tottenham  saw  that  the  elements  would  soon  be  let 
loose.  The  position  was  nearly  desperate,  for  at 
Hugh's  words,  Lady  Marlborough  glanced  from  one 
gentleman  to  the  other  with  a  smile  of  mischievous 
anticipation. 

Mr.  Brownker's  manner  was  urbanity  itself. 

"  Indeed,  I  trust  not,"  he  said.  "  It  is  surely  too 
58 


The  King's  Agent 

early  in  the  day  for  the  brain  of  any  gentleman  to  be 
confused." 

"  That  is  a  strange  remark,"  said  the  countess  with 
the  most  innocent  air  in  the  world.  "  Pray  be  more 
particular.  Confused?  What  mean  you  by  con- 
fused?" 

"  The  word  contains  a  riddle,  madam,  which  Mr. 
Montgomery  can  read  you." 

She  turned  wickedly  to  Hugh. 

"  Read  it,  sir,  at  once." 

Hugh  was  white  with  passion,  but  he  kept  still, 
and  his  lip  curled. 

"  I  cannot,  your  ladyship.  The  answer  is  not  to  be 
given  in  speech." 

"  Nay,  but  I  will  have  the  answer.    Is  it  in  verse  ?  " 

"  In  the  point  of  a  sword,  your  ladyship." 

"  Enough,  enough !  "  cried  Lord  Tottenham.  "  Be 
silent  both  of  you !  "  He  laid  a  heavy  hand  on  Hugh's 
shoulder.  "  Faith,"  he  said  more  lightly,  "  you  youn- 
kers  are  like  dogs  in  summer  weather.  You  cannot 
meet  but  must  be  at  one  another's  throats.  This  dis- 
pute must  end." 

"  Hoity,  toity,  my  lord !  "  cried  the  countess.  "You 
take  too  much  upon  yourself.  In  this  house  free 
speech  is  as  welcome  as  fresh  air.  Sakes !  that  a  gen- 
tleman, now,  a  plain  gentleman,  should  thus  beard 
King  William's  agent.  How  I  would  that  his  master 
were  by  to  hear  it !  So  these  gallants  have  quarrelled. 
Was  it  last  night  at  the  St.  James's,  I  wonder  ?  Master 
Montgomery,  I  shall  now  require  you  to  give  us  a 
true  and  particular  account  of  all  that  passed  last 
night." 

At  these  terrible  words  even  Mr.  Brownker  looked 
startled.  Hugh  recoiled. 

"  Heaven  forbid,  madam,"  he  exclaimed. 
5  59 


The  King's  Agent 

"  But  I  insist,"  she  cried.  "  I  am  accustomed  to 
obedience." 

"  That  is  impossible." 

"  Impossible  ?  I  do  not  know  the  word.  Come, 
then,  I  will  describe  what  I've  been  told.  It  is  indeed 
a  very  interesting  story,  Isabel."  Her  ladyship  paused 
to  enjoy  the  consternation  seen  on  every  face.  Wheth- 
er she  would  have  carried  out  her  threat  it  is  hard  to 
say,  but  at  this  moment  a  gentleman,  dressed  in  a 
plain  country-made  suit  of  gray  cloth,  came  into  the 
room,  and  Lord  Tottenham  uttered  an  exclamation  of 
relief. 

"  Marlborough !  On  my  soul,  Jack,  I  was  never  so 
pleased  to  see  you  in  my  life." 

"  Not  more  than  I,  Ned,  to  find  you  here."  And 
they  shook  hands  heartily. 

A  striking  contrast  were  the  two  friends.  Lord 
Tottenham,  broad-faced,  deep-voiced,  and  burly,  stood 
forth  as  a  typical  Englishman  of  his  time.  Something 
coarse  and  common-place  in  word  and  thought,  yet 
true  and  open-natured.  Prejudiced  and  narrow  in  his 
views,  but  with  no  doubts  or  scruples  about  life  or  poli- 
tics. Ready  to  fight  for  his  King  and  his  religion  with- 
out inquiring  too  closely  where  he  might  be  led.  Marl- 
borough,  how  different !  A  man  of  lighter  build  than 
Tottenham,  yet  appearing  taller  by  reason  of  his  stately 
carriage.  His  complexion  pale,  his  features  fine  rather 
than  massive,  but  moulded  with  such  symmetry  that 
they  formed  a  remarkable  combination  of  beauty  and 
of  strength.  A  close  study  of  the  face  revealed  that 
the  eyes,  though  set  wide  apart,  were  a  thought  too 
narrow  for  their  length ;  while  the  mouth,  of  great 
sweetness  when  he  smiled,  was  habitually  set  in  an  un- 
changing curve.  This  gave  a  curious  stillness  and 
immovability  to  the  whole  face,  a  quality  which  made 

60 


The  King's  Agent 

his  best  friends,  as  well  as  his  bitterest  enemies,  say  it 
was  a  mask.  Yet,  when  the  lips  moved  and  the  eyes  lit 
up,  what  charm  there  was — all  that  indescribable  fas- 
cination of  a  disposition  that,  with  all  its  faults,  was 
ever  thoughtful  and  considerate  of  others,  and  on  oc- 
casion could  be  deeply  sympathetic.  Lord  Marl- 
borough  had  as  few  friends  and  as  many  enemies  as 
fell  to  the  lot  of  most  public  men  of  his  day ;  but  when 
men  loved  him  or  believed  in  him,  his  power  over  them 
was  absolute. 

He  was,  above  all  things,  a  born  peacemaker,  this 
great  soldier,  and  at  his  coming  now  the  flames  of 
discord  fanned  by  the  countess  died  down  to  smoul- 
dering embers.  Few  men  or  women  quarrelled  openly 
in  the  presence  of  Lord  Marlborough. 

Hugh,  indeed,  forgot  for  the  time  being  that  such 
a  person  as  Karl  Brownker  lived.  He  felt  as  a  lover 
feels  when  seeing  his  betrothed  after  a  long  absence. 
His  heart  leaped  with  joy.  He  was  face  to  face  at  last 
with  the  man  he  had  worshipped  for  two  years. 

Standing  motionless  and  erect — for  he  was  a  sol- 
dier still — he  waited  until  Marlborough  had  given  Mr. 
Brownker  a  friendly  greeting,  until  Lord  Tottenham 
had  mentioned  his  own  name  and  said  something  in  an 
undertone,  and  he  saw  the  beautiful  eyes  turn  in  his 
direction,  and  the  still  face  break  into  a  cordial,  win- 
ning smile. 

"  Not  a  word,  my  lord,"  Marlborough  said.  "  Mr. 
Montgomery  and  I  need  no  introduction."  Then,  ex- 
tending his  hand :  "  Welcome,  comrade,  to  our  quar- 
ters, and  may  you  find  more  ease,  and,  of  a  surety, 
more  food,  than  when  last  we  met  before  Kinsale." 

Hugh  took  the  hand  respectfully,  but  the  kindly 
words  had  put  him  perfectly  at  ease. 

"  Where  your  lordship  is  in  command,"  he  an- 
61 


The  King's  Agent 

swered,  "  no  soldier  takes  thought  of  what  he  gets  to 
eat." 

Marlborough  looked  pleased.  He  was  very  sen- 
sitive to  praise.  Leaning  familiarly  on  Hugh's  shoul- 
der he  turned  to  the  countess. 

"  Your  ladyship  loves  stories  that  are  true.  Here 
is  one  worth  hearing.  At  the  siege  of  Cork  the  Popish 
garrison  made  a  sortie,  and  fell  upon  a  regiment  of 
ours.  They  were  all  brave  men,  but  were  taken  by  sur- 
prise, and  fell  back  in  confusion.  In  that  regiment  was 
a  certain  company  that  had  its  captain  shot  and  its  lieu- 
tenant wounded,  and  yet,  in  spite  of  all,  gave  not  a 
foot.  So  stubbornly,  indeed,  did  it  hold  together, 
thanks  to  the  junior  officer,  that  the  regiment  recov- 
ered its  formation  and  beat  back  the  enemy  to  the  very 
gates.  The  man,  my  lady,  to  whom  all  this  was  due 
was  Mr.  Hugh  Montgomery.  I  thank  him  now,  in 
the  King's  name  and  my  own." 

'  T  was  well  done,"  said  her  ladyship  graciously, 
"  though  by  what  I  hear  through  a  messenger  from 
town  this  morning,  I  am  not  surprised." 

"  Strange,"  muttered  Mr.  Brownker  to  Isabel ; 
"  all  this  happened  nigh  three  months  ago,  yet  has  not 
been  spoken  of  until  to-day.  But  these  things  are  re- 
membered of  a  man  only  when  he  has  a  fortune." 

He  spoke  in  a  low  tone,  but  Lady  Marlborough, 
who  had  remarkable  good  ears,  heard  the  last  words. 

"  A  fortune !  "  she  said  over  her  shoulder ;  "  indeed 
that  can  do  little  for  a  man  with  enemies.  No  fortune 
will  save  Mr.  Montgomery,  when,  for  his  brave  de- 
fence of  my  Lord  Marlborough's  good  name,  he  is 
thrust  through  the  heart  to-morrow  morning  by  your 
steel." 

The  words  caused  the  sensation  they  were  meant 
to  do.  Mr.  Brownker's  face  became  livid  with  sup- 

62 


The  King's  Agent 

pressed  anger.  Hugh  could  have  sunk  into  the 
ground.  Isabel  turned  white  as  a  sheet,  and  even  Lord 
Tottenham's  ready  speech  failed  him.  Only  her  lady- 
ship, glancing  from  face  to  face,  remained  smilingly 
at  ease.  The  silence  was  broken  by  Marlborough 
himself. 

"  Mr.  Brownker,  a  report  from  town,  to  which  her 
ladyship  has  given  words,  has  reached  me,  coupling 
your  name  with  Mr.  Montgomery's  and  placing  mine 
between.  I  call  on  you  to  say  before  us  all  that  the 
tale  is  false." 

"  I  have  the  honour  of  answering  your  lordship  in 
the  negative." 

Marlborough  slowly  glanced  from  Mr.  Brownker 
to  Isabel. 

"  Then  the  matter  must  be  arranged,  or  you  enter 
not  my  doors  again." 

Mr.  Brownker  bowed. 

"  In  that  case  I  have  no  alternative.  Mr.  Mont- 
gomery escapes." 

"  If  Mr.  Brownker,"  Hugh  retorted,  "  makes  such 
apology  to  you,  my  lord,  as  I  dictate,  I  will  release 
him." 

Marlborough  smiled  good-humouredly. 

"  Then  a  treaty  shall  be  signed  and  sealed  between 
you.  That  apology  we  will  consider  made.  While  as 
for  Mr.  Montgomery's  reputation,  I  give  him  my  word 
that  any  man  who  breathes  upon  it  shall  have  the  lie 
from  me.  Gentlemen,  you  parted  last  night  in  heat, 
but  you  meet  as  friends  in  this  house,  and  must  not 
part  again  until  you  have  clasped  hands.  My  Lord 
Tottenham  and  I  will  stand  sponsors  for  your  honour. 
I  beg  you  both  to  lay  me  under  this  obligation." 

He  laid  his  right  hand  on  Hugh's  shoulder  and  his 
left  on  Mr.  Brownker's,  and  smiled  into  both  faces. 

63 


The  King's  Agent 

Hugh  was  overcome  at  once. 

"  Your  lordship  conquers  all,"  he  said  huskily. 
"  Here  is  my  hand." 

But  Mr.  Brownker  did  not  move  an  inch. 

"  Your  lordship  is  not  aware,"  he  said,  "  that  I  was 
struck  before  a  company." 

Marlborough  frowned. 

"  I  knew  not  that.  Mr.  Montgomery,  an  apology 
is  due " 

Hugh  raised  his  head. 

"  I  do  not  apologise,  my  lord,  to  a  man  who  called 
you  traitor." 

At  these  words  Isabel  gave  a  convulsive  start.  Mr. 
Brownker  showed  his  teeth. 

"  You  distort  my  words,"  he  said.  "  I  only  told 
you  that  was  said." 

"  You  affirmed  the  slander  to  be  a  fact." 

"  You  dared  me  to  repeat  it,  so  I  had  no  alterna- 
tive. The  Earl  of  Marlborough  knows  that,  in  my 
opinion,  he  is  a  noble  and  distinguished  gentleman." 

"  Then  you  lied,"  cried  Hugh  fiercely. 

Marlborough  raised  his  hand. 

"  Silence !  "  he  said  sternly.  Then,  with  a  sigh : 
"  This  dispute  is  beyond  my  mending.  You  must 
meet,  gentlemen  ;  but  I  trust  when  you  have  lost  a  little 
blood,  there  will  be  a  better  understanding  on  both 
sides." 

"  Indeed,  my  lord,"  said  Mr.  Brownker,  with  a 
most  amiable  expression  in  his  fathomless  blue  eyes, 
and  every  trace  of  resentment  gone  from  his  face,  "  if 
we  do  not  to-morrow  understand  each  other  beyond  all 
cavil,  I  assure  your  lordship  the  fault  shall  not  be 
mine." 


64 


CHAPTER  VI 

LORD  TOTTENHAM  and  Hugh  left  Hollywell  House 
early  in  the  afternoon.  Marlborough  and  the  coun- 
tess came  out  to  see  them  mount,  and  her  ladyship  was 
good  enough  to  invite  Hugh  to  ride  down  to  see  them 
whenever  he  felt  inclined.  This  flattered  Hugh  be- 
yond measure.  Yet  he  was  not  in  good  spirits. 

Though  constitutionally  fearless,  and  able  to  face 
death  as  coolly  as  he  would  eat  his  dinner,  the  thought 
of  crossing  swords  with  a  man  in  cold  blood  was  new 
to  Hugh's  experience,  and  extremely  unpleasant.  In 
the  excitement  of  the  moment  last  night  he  had  wel- 
comed it,  and  the  distractions  of  the  day  had  kept  all 
quiet  reflection  at  arm's  length.  But  now  that  these 
were  all  over,  and  the  fatigue  of  the  long  ride  was  be- 
ginning to  make  itself  felt,  it  was  a  different  matter, 
and  to  Hugh's  infinite  disgust  he  found  himself  spec- 
ulating sombrely  upon  the  reputed  skill  of  his  oppo- 
nent and  Lord  Tottenham's  drastic  criticism  upon  his 
own  deficiencies  of  fence.  Presently,  however,  another 
subject  took  possession  of  his  mind  and  drove  out  all 
thoughts  of  himself. 

Isabel  Fretchville  had  called  him  a  friend  in  need. 
The  sense  in  which  she  used  the  term  was  retrospec- 
tive, but  it  had  occurred  to  Hugh  that  if  he  would  hon- 
estly deserve  the  name,  he  must  do  more — more  than 
she  dreamed.  • 

Isabel  was  clearly  a  dependent  in  the  Marlborough 
65 


The  King's  Agent 

household,  and  though  a  relative  of  Lady  Sarah's,  she 
worked,  as  other  servants  worked,  for  wages.  In  the 
eyes  of  the  world,  therefore,  and  of  men  of  the  world, 
she  sat  below  the  salt.  Her  dignity  and  spirit  had  won 
Lord  Tottenham's  respect,  it  was  true,  and,  with  the 
friendship  of  the  Marlboroughs,  would  preserve  her 
always  from  open  insult,  but  there  was  another  and 
more  insidious  danger,  and  when  Hugh  saw  Karl 
Brownker  press  her  hand  and  look  tenderly  into  her 
eyes  he  felt  convinced  that  a  pitfall  was  yawning  at  her 
feet.  Lord  Tottenham,  he  perceived,  was  of  the  same 
opinion,  but  he  knew,  without  asking  the  question,  that 
though  the  earl  would  be  sorry  for  the  girl,  he  would 
never  actively  interfere.  It  was  the  creed  of  the  day 
that  women  who  allowed  men  to  pay  them  attentions 
which  could  not  be  seriously  meant,  except  in  the  worst 
possible  sense,  had  only  themselves  to  thank  if  there 
were  a  catastrophe. 

With  Hugh  it  was  different.  The  struggle  with 
the  brute  who  had  assaulted  Isabel  had  enlisted  in  her 
behalf  his  hot  blood  and  lusty  manhood.  Then  the 
spirit  of  the  girl,  and  her  appeal  for  his  sympathy, 
even  more  than  her  beauty  and  charm,  had  captivated 
his  fancy;  the  loneliness  of  her  position  roused  his 
chivalry.  Alone  with  his  thoughts  now — Lord  Totten- 
ham, for  once,  being  in  a  silent  mood — the  desire  and 
determination  to  serve  her,  and  protect  her,  took  com- 
plete possession  of  Hugh's  mind,  and  he  laughed  to 
scorn  his  fears  of  Karl  Brownker's  skill.  If  a  man 
fighting  for  a  woman's  honour  could  not  overcome  a 
cold-blooded  rake,  defending  his  wretched  life,  it  was  a 
pity  indeed !  Hugh  felt  strong  enough  to  kill  a  dozen 
Brownkers.  All  at  once,  in  the  very  midst  of  his  ex- 
citement, a  sudden  thought  came,  and  chilled  him. 
Supposing  Isabel  loved  this  man?  It  might,  indeed, 

66 


The  King's  Agent 

be  argued  that  there  was  additional  need,  in  that  case, 
for  short  shrift  if  she  were  to  be  saved  from  dishonour. 
But  Isabel  was  not  a  weak-minded,  ignorant  girl.  She 
had  character  and  a  strong  will.  If  she  loved,  the  man 
must  have  given  proofs  that  he  was  an  honest  wooer. 
This  seemed  unlikely,  but  it  was  possible ;  and  the  bare 
chance  of  it  brought  Hugh's  castle-building  tumbling 
about  his  ears.  At  this  point,  however,  Lord  Totten- 
ham uttered  an  exclamation,  and  Hugh's  reflections 
came  to  an  end. 

"  Upon  my  life,"  cried  his  lordship,  "  I'm  disap- 
pointed in  that  little  minx,  Isabel.  She  is  as  cold  and 
unfeeling  as  a  china  doll." 

Hugh  stiffened  visibly  in  his  saddle. 

"  In  what  manner  has  the  Mistress  Isabel  incurred 
your  lordship's  displeasure  ?  " 

"In  what  manner?"  quoth  the  earl  shortly.  "In 
every  manner  that  a  woman  can.  She  has  set  you  two 
younkers  by  the  ears,  when  you  should  have  been  ma- 
king friends ;  and  she  held  her  peace  and  stared  stonily 
before  her  when  she  might  have  aided  me  to  calm  the 
storm  which  her  pretty  face  set  raging." 

"  I  take  you  not  there,  my  lord,'"'  Hugh  rejoined  in 
the  same  icy  tone  as  before,  and  which  gave  the  cho- 
leric earl  the  strongest  possible  desire  to  knock  him 
off  his  horse.  "  The  storm  began  last  night,  and " 

"  And — and — and"  sputtered  his  lordship,  "  was 
begun  by  Mr.  Brownker;  forced  on  by  Mr.  Brown- 
ker,  hatched  from  the  beginning  by  Mr.  Brownker, 
conceived,  planned,  and  deliberately  brought  to  a  con- 
clusion by  Brownker.  You  knocked  him  down,  d'ye 
say?  Well,  you  did,  and  that  was  not  his  plan.  But 
in  all  the  rest  you  acted  as  his  puppet.  He  desired  to 
quarrel  with  you,  and  to  kill  you;  he  had  that  deter- 
mination before  he  saw  your  face.  All  for  a  woman's 

6? 


The  King's  Agent 

sake.    Does  your  high  mightiness's  wooden  head  take 
in  the  situation  now  ?  " 

Hugh's  face  became  very  white,  and  he  spoke  with 
difficulty.  "  You  mean  that  this  man,  fearing  I  might 
be  his  rival  with  the  Mistress  Isabel,  came  to  my  board 
last  night  with  a  deliberate  intent  to  drag  me  to  a 
duel?" 

"  Just  that  is  my  meaning,"  snapped  my  lord. 
"  Marlborough  spoke  of  you,  it  seems,  some  days  since, 
and  Brownker  found  you  had  been  invited  here.  A 
curse,  I  say,  on  women — on  all  women !  " 

"  Nay,  sir,"  cried  Hugh  with  spirit,  "  I  think  your 
lordship  should  say  men." 

"  Pish !  Men  are  fools,  if  you  choose.  Two  fools, 
at  least,  are  riding  side  by  side  this  moment.  But  'tis 
a  woman  fooled  them.  This  confounded  little 
slut " 

"  My  lord,  do  not  use  that  term." 

Lord  Tottenham  looked  round,  pulling  his  horse 
so  sharply  that  he  nearly  brought  him  on  his  haunches. 
It  was  many  years  since  any  man  had  addressed  him  in 
such  fashion,  and  none  had  done  it  twice.  Yet  he  was 
not  angry.  He  peered  into  Hugh's  blazing  eyes  and 
flushed  face  with  a  provoking  calmness. 

"  Bad — bad,"  he  muttered,  half  to  himself. 
"  Worse  than  I  could  have  conceived." 

Hugh  breathed  hard.  "  Mistress  Isabel  deserves 
respect,  my  lord,  and  shall  receive  it — in  my  presence." 

Lord  Tottenham  sighed  deeply. 

"  Good  Gad,  and  it  hath  come  to  this !  Why,  boy, 
that  fellow  holds  this  silly  maid  in  the  very  hollow  of 
his  hand." 

"  Until  to-morrow,"  Hugh  said  hoarsely.  "  Only 
till  to-morrow." 

Lord  Tottenham  bowed  his  head. 
68 


The  King's  Agent 

"  The  Lord  forgive  me — may  the  Lord  forgive 
me,"  he  groaned.  "  I  have  indeed  done  wrong." 

Then  he  raised  himself  in  his  saddle  and  looked 
round  the  dreary  wintry  landscape  with  a  shudder,  and 
began  talking  to  himself. 

"  All  is  the  very  same  as  when  your  father  and  I 
rode  to  his  death  twenty  years  ago.  Truly  a  curse  hath 
been  laid  upon  you  Montgomerys,  father  and  son, 
brother  and  sister,  mother  and  child.  Your  Uncle 
Dan  was  struck  with  an  apoplexy  in  his  prime ;  your 
aunt,  the  Lady  Susan,  is  like  to  come  to  the  block  for 
treason,  a  crazy  Jacobite.  Her  daughter  is  worse,  far 
worse;  your  mother,  the  best  of  all,  was  killed  by  a 
cruel  disease  at  forty  years  of  age ;  your  father  pinked 
at  thirty  by  Lord  Casterton ;  and  now  you,  at  twenty- 
one — oh,  my  God !  " 

He  groaned  again  and  went  on  drearily :  "  It  was 
just  such  a  day  as  this  I  rode  with  Ralf  from  Thatch- 
ford  after  he  had  parted  from  your  mother.  He  spoke 
of  you.  The  words  come  back  to  me  as  if  I  heard  them 
now.  '  Ned,'  he  cried  in  that  quick  way  of  his — you 
have  it,  with  the  very  turn  he  used  to  give  his  head 
like  a  horse  straining  on  the  bit — '  Ned,'  says  he,  '  the 
boy ! '  Then  he  was  silent  a  full  minute.  '  He  will  be 
your  son,'  he  went  on.  '  She  will  make  him  that.  For 
God's  sake,  keep  him  from  all  women  until  he  is  a  man. 
They  ruined  me  when  I  was  seventeen,  and  so,  when 
I  saw  Margaret  at  last,  and  loved  her,  it  was  all  too 
late.  When  he  loves,  as  a  man  loves,  see  that  it  is  not 
too  late.'  " 

Lord  Tottenham  rubbed  his  eyes  with  his  gloved 
hand. 

"  They  were  the  words  of  a  dying  man,  and  true. 
This  woman,  the  first  you  have  known — you  love  as 
a  young  bird  loves  the  first  ray  of  sunlight  that  warms 

69 


The  King's  Agent 

his  wings — and  for  your  love  you'll  die,  and  I  am  the 
cause  of  it." 

"  With  respect,  my  lord,"  Hugh  replied  steadily, 
"  you  are  not  the  cause  of  it  at  all.  What  I  have  done 
has  been  of  my  own  free  will.  You  led  me  to  her  pres- 
ence, true,  and  thereby  saved  her  from  mishap  un- 
speakable. That  is  not  a  curse.  As  for  to-morrow, 
wait  till  to-morrow  comes."  He  drew  a  deep  breath 
of  fresh  air  into  his  lungs,  tossed  back  his  head,  and 
smiled.  "  I  have  no  fears.  I  am  trying  to  do  the  right. 
Harm  will  not  come  of  that.  At  least,  this  is  my  be- 
lief." 

But  Lord  Tottenham  sighed  and  shrugged  his 
shoulders  doubtfully.  Then  all  at  once  he  straight- 
ened himself  in  the  saddle  and  pointed  to  the  west. 

"  See,  lad !  d'ye  see  that  ?  "  he  cried.  "  The  sun  is 
breaking  from  the  clouds  to  shine  on  us  before  he  sinks 
to  rest.  Gad!  how  different  all  things  look  below. 
The  world  is  changed.  An  omen,  as  I  live.  You  are 
right,  and  shame  me."  He  doffed  his  hat  reverently. 
"  Nay,  nay ;  men  may  prate  when  they  should  pray, 
and  fight  when  they  should  kneel,  but  above  them  is  a 
Power  that  holds  the  scales.  God,  not  the  devil,  rules 
the  world." 


70 


CHAPTER  VII 

IN  a  far  away  corner  of  the  grounds  of  Hollywell 
House,  beyond  the  lawn,  the  flower  garden,  the  or- 
chard, and  the  bowling  green — beyond,  indeed,  all 
parts  frequented  for  any  purpose  whatever  by  mem- 
bers of  the  household,  was  a  spot  called  the  Nun's 
Walk.  It  was  a  gravelled  path,  moss-grown  and  neg- 
lected, running  between  tall  arbor-vitse  hedges  for 
some  fifty  yards.  At  the  upper  end  was  the  garden 
wall;  at  the  lower  end  a  tangled  impassable  wood. 
There  was  a  door  in  the  garden  wall,  the  entrance  to 
the  walk,  but  no  servant  on  the  place  could  have  been 
induced  to  open  that  door,  for  it  was  said  that  the  ghost 
of  a  murdered  nun  stood  behind  it  day  and  night.  No 
one  knew  who  had  murdered  her,  or  why ;  or  how  a 
nun  ever  became  an  inhabitant  of  this  strange  little 
blind  alley  which  had  once  been  an  avenue  between 
two  gardens  since  destroyed.  But  there  was  the  tradi- 
tion, and  as  the  walk  was  of  no  value  to  the  present 
owner  of  Hollywell  House  it  was  not  worth  any  one's 
while  to  disprove  the  statement,  or  exorcise  the  ghost. 

A  still,  eerie  spot.  On  either  side  of  the  hedges  a 
wood  had  grown  up  and  become  so  dense  from  neglect 
that  on  the  stormiest  days  scarcely  a  leaf  stirred  in  the 
walk.  No  sound  ever  broke  the  silence  there  except 
the  coo  of  the  wood-pigeon  in  its  season,  the  rustling 
tread  of  small  wild  creatures,  or  the  drip,  drip  of  the 
rain  in  wet  weather. 

71 


The  King's  Agent 

But  the  Nun's  Walk,  for  all  its  solitariness — or 
rather  because  of  it — had  an  inhabitant  besides  the 
ghost.  Since  Isabel  Fretchville  came  to  Hollywell 
two  years  ago,  she  had  taken  refuge  here  in  her  brief 
hours  of  leisure  from  the  cares  and  problems  of  her 
busy  life.  In  bygone  days  some  former  owner  of 
Hollywell  had  cut  down  a  tree  and  fashioned  the  trunk 
into  a  rude  rustic  seat.  On  this  Isabel  would  sit,  in 
summer  weather,  dreaming  day  dreams,  listening  to 
the  movement  of  the  woodland  life  about  her,  resting 
and  refreshing  an  overworked  body  and  mind.  No 
one  disturbed  her.  No  one,  indeed,  except  the  Marl- 
boroughs,  knew  where  she  went,  so  that  the  Walk  be- 
came to  her  as  a  private  apartment — a  sanctuary  at  the 
door  of  which  she  left  the  world  behind. 

Three  months  before  Karl  Brownker  had  met 
Hugh  Montgomery  he  had  paid  his  first  visit  to  Holly- 
well  House.  He  came  ostensibly  to  discuss  questions 
of  army  reform  privately  with  the  earl  by  command 
of  the  King,  in  reality  to  lay  the  foundation  for  sys- 
tematic espionage  of  the  Marlborough  household.  In 
pursuit  of  this  high  business  of  the  state  he  was  inev- 
itably brought  into  close  contact  with  Isabel.  He  saw 
her  the  first  night  in  evening  dress  in  all  the  freshness 
and  roundness  of  her  youth.  He  saw  her  the  next  day 
at  work,  shrewd,  concentrated,  authoritative,  mistress 
of  herself  and  of  her  men,  supreme  in  her  department, 
holding  her  own  there  even  against  the  countess. 
Lastly,  having  discovered  her  retreat,  he  presented 
himself  on  the  third  day  in  the  Nun's  Walk,  and  con- 
trived before  the  end  of  a  week  to  make  himself  com- 
pletely at  home  there. 

The  gentle  art  of  angling  for  women  had,  with 
fencing,  been  the  pursuits  of  Karl  Brownker's  leisure 
hours  since  he  was  sixteen  years  old.  He  had  been  a 

72 


The  King's  Agent 

successful  fisherman — so  much  so  that  he  was  begin- 
ning to  get  tired  of  it,  and  had  seriously  thought  of 
marriage,  or  at  least  of  looking  out  for  a  lady  with  the 
necessary  money  and  rank  to  make  the  yoke  endurable. 
His  own  position  was  onerous  and  important  enough, 
but  was  scarcely  as  lucrative  as  he  could  wish.  Wil- 
liam was  a  good  master,  but  not  a  generous  one.  Karl, 
who  knew  his  master's  secrets,  and  could  count  upon 
his  countenance  and  support  against  all  comers,  ex- 
pected no  liberality.  His  salary,  as  he  knew,  had  to 
come  out  of  William's  privy  purse,  which  was  none 
too  large  for  his  Majesty's  needs.  Marriage  on  a 
sound  financial  basis  with  some  English  lady  of  high 
degree  would  be  a  wise  and  politic  move.  It  would 
strengthen  his  position  with  the  Government,  and  en- 
able him  to  be  independent  of  the  King.  In  the  midst 
of  all  this,  however,  came  his  meeting  with  Isabel. 

Three  months  is  not  a  long  time,  but  many  a  heart 
has  been  won  or  lost  in  less.  Karl  and  Isabel  soon  be- 
came friends,  and  as  in  those  days  young  men  and 
maids  were  allowed  full  liberty  to  pursue  friendships 
or  other  attachments,  and  break  them,  without  exciting 
remark  so  long  as  ordinary  proprieties  were  preserved, 
they  saw  as  much  of  each  other  as  they  wished  to  do, 
and  saw  each  other  alone. 

Lord  Tottenham  and  Hugh  left  Hollywell  House  at 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  at  four  Isabel,  seat- 
ed on  the  fallen  tree,  was  digging  the  end  of  a  stout 
walking-stick,  shod  with  a  tiny  hoe,  impatiently  into 
the  gravel  and  waiting  for  Mr.  Brownker.  He  came 
with  the  air  of  a  man  in  haste. 

"As  I  live,  dear,"  he  said  in  a  low  tone,  seating 
himself  beside  her,  "  I  thought  my  lord  would  never  let 
me  go." 

Isabel  looked  up  with  a  frown  of  anxiety. 
73 


The  King's  Agent 

"  He  is  troubled  and  perplexed  about  public  af- 
fairs." 

"  He  may  well  be  troubled,  being  in  the  posture  of 
a  climber  who  has  essayed  to  scale  a  height  and  finds 
himself  where  he  dare  not  proceed,  and  yet  knows  not 
how  to  draw  back." 

"  Lord  Marlborough,"  was  the  quick  re  joiner, 
"  can  climb  safely  where  other  men  would  fall.  I  have 
no  fears  for  him." 

"  You  know  not  his  position." 

"  I  know  that  he  has  a  good  friend  at  court,"  and 
she  looked  at  him  significantly. 

"  One  friend,"  rejoined  Mr.  Brownker  compla- 
cently— he  had  just  succeeded  in  bribing  two  of  Lord 
Marlborough's  servants  to  betray  all  their  master's 
secrets  to  him — "  one  friend,  perhaps,  but  many  en- 
emies. Yet,  a  pardon ;  we  do  not  meet  to-day  to  talk 
about  my  Lord  of  Marlborough." 

"  I  ask  you  to  save  him  according  to  your  promise, 
Karl,  and  our  friendship." 

"  And  I  ask  you,  dear  one,  to  cease  calling  me  a 
friend." 

He  took  Her  hand  and  raised  it  to  his  lips.  She  did 
not  draw  it  away,  but  as  he  would  have  slipped  his 
other  hand  about  her  waist  she  straightened  her  arm 
and  held  him  at  a  distance. 

"  Friendship,  Karl,  is  all  I  have  to  give." 

His  hand  dropped  to  his  side  and  he  rose,  with  a 
formal  bow. 

"  Then  I  beg  to  take  my  leave." 

She  rose  also,  making  no  answer,  but  brushing 
from  her  skirt  some  shreds  of  moss.  Then  she  slowly 
turned  and  looked  him  in  the  face. 

"You  wish  to  go?" 

"  My  presence  is  an  offence  to  you." 
74 


The  King's  Agent 

She  frowned  at  him.  "  You  know  it  is  not ;  why 
not  tell  the  truth  ?  " 

Brownker  laughed  pleasantly.  One  of  Isabel's  pe- 
culiar charms  in  his  eyes  was  her  fearlessness.  He 
who  for  three  years  had  been  the  dread  of  every  Jacob- 
ite in  England,  and  could  make  even  the  lords  of  the 
Privy  Council  quail  before  his  biting  tongue,  was  no 
more  feared  by  this  slight  girl  than  if  he  had  been 
a  fly. 

"  The  truth,  my  dear,  is  this :  we  have  been  parted 
full  two  weeks,  yet  no  sooner  do  I  take  your  hand  than 
I  am  thrust  aside.  Now,  do  I  offend  or  do  I  not  ?  If 
not — "  He  drew  nearer  to  her. 

"  You  ask  me  for  more  than  I  can  give,"  she  said, 
still  at  arm's  length.  "  There  is  no  question  of 
offence." 

"  Ay,  ay ;  you  will  let  me  love  you,  then  ?  "  He 
spoke  half  tenderly,  yet  with  a  steady  undercurrent 
of  passion  in  his  voice.  "  Hunger  for  you,  burn  my 
heart  out  for  you,  and  yet  I  must  not  so  much  as  snatch 
a  kiss  or  hold  you  for  one  brief  moment  in  my  arms  ?  " 

Isabel  gave  a  little  shiver. 

"  Certainly  you  must  not.  It  is  strange  that  you 
ask,  knowing  I  have  no  feeling  nor  desire  for  such  ca- 
resses. Why  do  you  ask  it,  Karl  ?  " 

He  looked  at  her  fixedly  a  moment  without  answer- 
ing. It  was  not  the  first  time  she  had  asked  him  such 
a  question.  Had  any  other  woman  he  had  known  done 
so,  his  answer  would  have  been  sharp,  conclusive,  and 
to  the  point,  for  his  creed  concerning  women  admitted 
coquetry  alone  as  a  reason  for  such  playing  with  fire. 
But  Isabel  was  in  earnest.  Her  question  came  in  a 
precise  and  somewhat  severe  tone.  She  was  still 
frowning  slightly.  Karl  Brownker,  accomplished  in 
all  the  galanteries  of  the  most  select  court  circles,  stood 
6  75 


The  King's  Agent 

now,  before  this  country  miss,  upon  his  trial.  The  po- 
sition was,  he  knew,  ridiculous.  Yet  he  was  so  far 
from  resenting  it,  that  his  only  thought  for  the  mo- 
ment was  how  to  retrace  the  step  he  had  just  taken. 

"Why  do  I  ask  it?"  he  said  slowly,  "because  I 
am  aweary  of  giving  all,  Isabel,  and  receiving  nothing, 
because  this  compact  of  ours " 

She  stopped  him  with  a  gesture. 

"  Nothing,  you  say.  Then — my  friendship  is — 
nothing  ?  " 

She  spoke  quietly  and  judicially,  but  not  without 
feeling.  He  caught  both  her  hands  and  held  them 
tightly. 

"  I  have  not  said  that ;  and  if  I  felt  it,  child,  I 
should  not  be  here  to-day." 

"  Then  you  doubt  my  friendship  ?  I  pray  you  let 
me  go ;  you  hurt  my  hands." 

He  kissed  them,  and  obeyed. 

"  There  is  my  answer,  most  exacting  miss.  But 
think  you  a  lover  will  place  cold  friendship  against 
the  longing  of  his  soul  ?  " 

Isabel  looked  at  him  wistfully. 

"  If  I  were  only  sure,"  she  began,  then  paused. 

He  drew  a  sharp,  deep  breath. 

"  You  doubt  my  love,  Isabel.  You  are  very  igno- 
rant of  men." 

"  That  is  a  truth,"  she  replied  calmly.  "  Though  I 
have  seen  many,  I  have  in  reality  known  but  one,  and 
sometimes  I  am  not  sure  that  I  know  him." 

"  If  you  would  but  give  him  opportunity,  and  test 
his  love,  you  would  not  say  that." 

Her  eyes  brightened. 

"  Opportunity — test — good  words.  Nay,  not  that 
again."  He  had  seized  her  hands.  "  Let  be,  sir,  or  I 
go  about  my  business." 

76 


The  King's  Agent 

He  dropped  her  hands  with  a  shrug. 

"  A  test,"  she  went  on  in  a  thoughtful  tone.  "  I 
have  it  in  my  mind  to  give  you  one." 

He  made  her  a  very  graceful  bow. 

"  To  gain  your  love,  my  dearest  mistress,  there  is 
no  test  I'd  flinch  from." 

Her  brow  clouded  again. 

"  Stay.  You  would  make  a  bargain  ?  That  is  dif- 
ferent. If  I  should  promise  this  or  that  because  you 
do  such  and  such  a  thing,  I  am  but  requiring  serv- 
ice for  which  I  pay  you  wages.  That  is  no  test  of 
love." 

"  A  man  who  endures  a  test  should  rise  in  value  by 
it,  else  what  is  the  value  of  a  test  at  all  ? " 

"  That  I  admit,  if  he  makes  no  bargain." 

"  I  make  no  bargain." 

"  Then,  sir,  you  shall  have  your  opportunity." 

"  Your  majesty  has  only  to  command." 

She  laughed  a  happy,  joyous  little  laugh,  which 
pleased  Mr.  Brownker.  All  severity  had  vanished 
from  her  face.  She  looked  a  very  woman  now,  a  sweet 
and  dainty  woman.  He  longed  to  take  her  in  his  arms 
and  kiss  away  all  hesitations  and  reserves. 

"  You  will  then,  sir,  spare  the  life  of  Mr.  Hugh 
Montgomery  to-morrow,  and  become  his  friend." 

There  was  a  profound  silence.  After  one  sharp 
breath  of  surprise,  Mr.  Brownker  turned  away  and 
began  pushing  hither  and  thither  with  the  end  of  his 
cane  a  half-frozen  field-mouse,  which  was  hopping  fee- 
bly across  the  path.  Isabel  watched  him. 

"  You  do  not  like  this  test." 

He  made  no  answer,  but  suddenly  struck  the  field- 
mouse  on  the  head. 

Isabel  gave  a  cry  of  anger  and  pity,  and  picked  up 
the  little  creature — dead. 

77 


The  King's  Agent 

"  It  harmed  you  not,"  she  said  in  a  choking  voice. 
"  A  helpless  mouse !  " 

"  It  was  in  my  way,"  he  said. 

She  smoothed  the  ruffled  fur,  and  gently  placed 
the  body  beneath  the  hedge. 

"  You  kill  all  things  in  your  way." 

She  spoke  quietly,  but  he  saw  that  her  face  was 
drawn,  and  the  hand  which  held  her  dress  a-tremble. 
He  picked  up  two  stones  and  brought  them  forcibly 
together.  One  was  chipped  by  the  shock,  the  other 
was  broken  to  pieces.  He  held  it  out. 

"  Which  of  us  do  you  wish  to  see  like  this  ?  " 

"  Neither." 

"  Psha !  one  must  break." 

"  That  rests  with  you." 

"  I,  the  weaker,  smaller  man  ?  " 

"  Ay,  you,  the  duellist.  Must  I  instruct  Master 
Brownker  in  his  trade  ?  " 

Her  face  was  scornful  now.  He  moved  his  feet  im- 
patiently, yet  could  not  take  his  eyes  away  from  hers. 

"  If  I  am  to  spare  him,  I  must  know  the  reason 
why." 

"  He  has  done  nothing  to  deserve  death." 

"  A  woman's  reason." 

"  His  life  is  precious  to  his  friends." 

"  Mistress  Isabel,  to  wit." 

She  nodded.  "  Yes,  for  he  did  me  a  great  service. 
I  should  grieve  much  were  he  to  die." 

He  bowed,  while  an  icy  smile  played  round  his  lips 
a  moment  and  then  left  them  stern  and  hard. 

"  Of  course  you  like  not  that,"  she  went  on.  "  I 
should  have  lied  and  said  he  was  more  indifferent  to 
me  than  that  mouse !  And  this  is  what  men  mean  by 
love.  Save  me  from  it !  Trouble  yourself  not  with  a 
denial — I  read  your  resolution  in  your  face." 

78 


The  King's  Agent 

-  "  I  am  glad,"  he  said  politely,  "  that  you  read  my 
face." 

She  was  trembling  with  strong  feeling,  her  eyes 
were  wet  with  tears.  "  Yet  I  had  thought  you  were 
a  friend,  Karl." 

"  Pardon ;  I  never  did  pretend  to  be  your 
friend." 

"  A  lover,  then,"  she  said  sharply,  "  has  less  devo- 
tion than  a  friend.  It  is  well  to  know." 

"  If  Mr.  Montgomery  were  your  friend  and  not 
your  lover,  he  should  command  my  life." 

"  He  my  lover  ?  You  are  beyond  all  patience, 
Karl." 

"  A  very  gallant  lover,  madam,  with  a  fortune  and 
the  favour  of  your  friends." 

"  I  care  nothing  for  him." 

"  He  cares  the  world  for  you." 

She  shook  her  head  with  impatient  incredulity, 
then  paused  as  if  a  sudden  thought  had  struck 
her. 

"Well,  if  that  be  true,  what  then?  Is  that  a  sin 
deserving  death  ?  " 

"  It  is  unfortunate  for  him." 

"  This,  then,  is  the  measure  of  your  love — to  kill 
in  cold  blood  a  fellow-creature  because  he  has  been 
unfortunate  enough  to  follow  your  example.  Indeed, 
sir,  you  may  take  your  leave,  and  welcome." 

"  I  would  but  prove  my  love." 

"  By  murder." 

"  You  are  unjust,  Isabel,  and  insult  me  cruelly." 
He  spoke  no  more  with  calm  assurance.  The  words 
came  hoarsely,  brokenly.  Isabel  saw  that  he  was  in 
earnest,  and  listened  in  spite  of  herself.  "  A  man 
who  takes  from  another  a  paltry  jewel  or  other  prop- 
erty is  hanged  justly  by  law.  Shall  a  thief  that  tries 

79 


The  King's  Agent 

to  steal  what  is  more  precious  than  any  jewel  es- 
cape ? " 

"  I  am  no  man's  property !  " 

"  One  day,  please  God " 

"  But  wait,  sir.    That  day  has  not  come." 

Mr.  Brownker  ground  his  teeth,  but  Isabel  faced 
him  steadily,  though  with  less  anger  than  before. 

"  There  lies  the  point,  Karl.  I  will  not  be  treated 
as  a  piece  of  goods." 

"  You  need  protection." 

"  That  may  be,  but  I  am  thinking  that  it  should  be 
from  Mr.  Brownker — not  the  ward  of  the  Earl  of  Tot- 
tenham." 

He  bit  his  lip.  It  might  be  fancy,  but  he  thought 
he  read  shrewd  warning  in  those  words. 

"  You  have  known  Mr.  Montgomery  one  day,"  he 
remarked  after  a  moment's  pause.  "  A  short  time  to 
pass  judgment  on  a  man." 

"  Not  when  he  carries  his  nature  in  his  face." 

Mr.  Brownker  bowed  gravely. 

"  Then  indeed  I  must  go  home."  He  was  very 
quiet  now.  All  anger  and  bitterness  had  left  his  face. 
Isabel  could  not  read  its  expression. 

"  Stay !  "  she  said  impulsively.  "  You  are  griev- 
ously at  fault." 

He  bowed  again  and  waited,  but  made  no  move- 
ment towards  her. 

"  I  do  not,  cannot,  possibly,  express  myself 
aright,"  she  went  on  hurriedly,  "  but  I  mean  this :  that 
gentleman,  no  doubt,  hath  faults.  Indeed,  I  do  not 
know  him,  but  I  am  sure  of  this — he  loves  children 
and  all  helpless  things.  Though  rude  and  hasty  in  his 
anger,  if  he  did  injustice  to  a  man  and  knew  it  he 
would  ask  his  pardon.  That  is  why  I  like  him,  and 
would  have  you  like  him  too." 

80 


The  King's  Agent 

Mr.  Brownker  coughed.  "  And  I,  you  think,  am 
merciless.  My  nature  is  to  kill." 

He  spoke  sardonically,  coldly;  but  Isabel  thought 
she  detected  a  very  slight  tremour  in  his  voice. 

"  Yes,"  she  said  slowly,  "  you  have  proved  it." 


81 


CHAPTER   VIII 

THE  morning  broke  raw,  damp,  and  miserable. 
There  had  been  a  thaw  in  the  night ;  it  was  now  threat- 
ening rain,  and  two  gentlemen,  who  had  ridden  down 
to  the  most  exposed  part  of  a  far-away  stretch  of 
grass  and  wasteland  called  the  Hampstead  fields, 
cursed  the  weather,  the  occasion  that  had  dragged 
them  from  their  beds,  and  the  universe  in  general, 
with  great  vigour  and  impartiality.  They  were  doc- 
tors, and  each  carried  in  his  hand  a  long  black  bag 
containing  bandages  and  a  fine  and  various  selection 
of  instruments.  But  though  they  anathematized  crea- 
tion as  became  professional  men  who  were  obliged  to 
watch  a  surgical  operation  performed  by  amateurs, 
they  would  not  have  missed  the  sight  for  the  world. 

There  are  duels  and  duels.  Even  in  the  seven- 
teenth century  the  number  of  serious  "  affairs  "  was 
comparatively  small,  usually  it  did  not  do  to  kill  your 
man.  If  he  were  of  rank  or  position,  a  hasty  de- 
parture to  the  Continent  was  necessary,  with  much 
undesirable  notoriety  and  a  heavy  outlay  of  money  be- 
fore the  matter  could  be  forgotten ;  while  even  if  the 
victim  were  a  person  of  no  importance,  ten  to  one  but 
he  had  relatives  or  friends  bearing  a  most  inconvenient 
grudge  against  the  arbitrament  of  the  sword,  and  apt 
to  seek  out  mean  ways  of  revenge.  Therefore,  it 
was  safer  and  much  less  troublesome  to  "  wing,"  and 
not  pink,  your  man.  But  there  were  other  duels,  when 

82 


The  King's  Agent 

through  some  bitter  personal  feud  or  rivalry  the  world 
had  of  a  sudden  became  too  small  to  hold  two  men. 

Such  a  duel  these  surgeons,  who  were  both  men 
closely  connected  with  the  fashionable  world,  knew 
was  to  be  fought  to-day. 

"  Well  matched,  eh  ?  "  remarked  one,  stamping  his 
feet  to  warm  them  and  looking  earnestly  to  the  south 
along  the  road  to  town — a  lonely,  muddy  lane  then, 
now  the  teeming  thoroughfare  of  Chalk  Farm  Road. 
"  A  pretty  equal  match,  they  say." 

He  spoke  gently,  and  rubbed  his  hands  with  a 
purring  gesture.  He  was  a  round,  apple-faced  little 
man  with  an  obsequious  manner  and  a  ready  smile. 

"  No  match  at  all,"  rejoined  his  companion  curtly 
— a  solemn,  dry-faced  gentleman  with  keen  eyes. 
"  My  man  stands  not  a  chance  against  yours." 

"  Dear,  dear,"  said  the  first  in  a  distressed  tone. 
"  Poor  fellow,  poor  fellow !  I  hoped  this  time  we 
might  be  entertained." 

"  Karl  Brownker  seldom  amuses  any  one  but  him- 
self." And  the  speaker  chuckled  grimly. 

"  No,  he  hath  no  humour  in  these  matters,"  was  the 
pensive  answer.  "  No  playfulness  at  all.  He  bides 
his  time,  receiving  not  a  scratch,  and  then  strikes 
once,  and  all  is  over.  I  like  a  man  such  as  my  Lord 
Casterton  used  to  be,  who'd  draw  blood  for  blood's 
sake.  I  attended  when  he  was  killed  by  my  Lord  of 
Tottenham,  and  I  assure  ye  it  was  a  rare  sight.  The 
lungs  were  pierced  and  an  artery  divided  by  the  one 
thrust,  so  that  the  blood  streamed  like  a  torrent." 

"  Hold ! "  interrupted  his  companion  gruffly. 
"  Here  they  come.  Mark  ye  their  faces !  I  may  be 
mistaken,  but  I  think  that  though  my  patient  will  be 
pinked  for  sure,  you  will  not  be  disappointed  of  a  little 
humour." 

83 


The  King's  Agent 

"  The  Lord  grant  you  are  right,"  the  other  said 
with  an  engaging  smile.  "  It  goes  against  a  man's 
conscience  to  be  feed  for  doing  nothing.  I  ofttimes 
wonder  Brownker  brings  a  surgeon  on  the  field  at 
all." 

"  It  is  the  man's  tenderness  of  conscience,"  was  the 
grim  reply.  "  He  loves  his  enemies,  and  gives  them 
every  care  when  they  are  dead." 

The  principals  now  rode  up  with  their  seconds, 
and  were  received  by  the  doctors  with  low  bows.  No 
words  were  spoken;  and  while  the  grooms  led  the 
horses  away  a  short  distance  Hugh  and  Mr.  Brownker 
divested  themselves  of  their  coats  and  waistcoats,  while 
Lord  Tottenham  and  Mr.  Brownker's  second  chose 
the  ground  and  measured  it. 

All  this  was  done  with  the  greatest  despatch,  lest 
by  any  untoward  chance  there  should  be  an  interrup- 
tion by  the  officers  of  the  law. 

The  sun  was  rising  as  the  combatants  took  their 
places  in  loose  white  linen  shirts  and  gartered  hose. 

They  saluted  each  other  and  stood  motionless 
until  Lord  Tottenham  gave  the  signal.  Then  they 
stepped  into  position ;  exchanged  thrusts  of  courtesy, 
and  the  fight  began.  Hugh,  following  the  advice  ear- 
nestly pressed  upon  him  by  his  second,  made  the  at- 
tack— an  attack,  Lord  Tottenham  quickly  perceived, 
more  formidable  than  Mr.  Brownker  anticipated,  for 
Hugh's  thrusts  were  well  and  steadily  delivered,  and  his 
guard  was  of  iron.  Mr.  Brownker's  agility  alone  saved 
him  from  dire  mishap.  Two,  three,  four  minutes 
passed,  and  still  Hugh's  attack  continued  unabated, 
while  Mr.  Brownker's  quickness  seemed  taxed  to  the 
utmost  to  keep  himself  from  harm,  and  such  thrusts  as 
he  made  in  return  were  parried  with  ease.  A  spot  of 
red  appeared  on  his  left  shoulder.  Hugh  had  drawn 

84 


The  King's  Agent 

blood,  and  at  the  same  moment  Mr.  Brownker  gave 
ground  a  full  two  feet.  But  Lord  Tottenham  started 
nervously  at  this.  It  was  an  obvious  stratagem,  likely 
to  prove  fatal  to  Hugh's  hot  blood.  He  advanced, 
however,  cautiously,  and  gave  no  chance,  and  Lord 
Tottenham  breathed  again.  Great  drops  of  perspira- 
tion stood  on  his  lordship's  brow.  Had  he  been  fight- 
ing himself,  he  would  not  have  felt  a  greater  strain 
on  nerve  and  muscle.  Yet  the  sensation  uppermost  in 
his  mind  was  that  of  wonder  and  surprise.  In  his 
wildest  moments  of  hope  he  had  not  dreamed  Hugh 
would  fence  so  well.  His  activity  was  great,  his  cool- 
ness perfect.  Though  there  was  no  finish  or  grace 
about  his  style,  and,  compared  with  Karl  Brownker, 
he  was  as  a  young  lion  facing  a  leopard,  yet  the  lion's 
limbs  were  long  and  lithe,  and  his  wrist  was  of  steel. 
The  fight  was  fiercer  now,  as  it  always  must  be  after 
blood  is  drawn.  The  veins  stood  out  on  Hugh's  fore- 
head, his  eyes  glistened.  Inch  by  inch  he  pressed  his 
opponent  back,  and  even  the  doctors  held  their  breath. 
A  lunge  at  the  breast,  another,  and  Mr.  Brownker  had 
the  narrowest  escape.  Blood  trickled  from  Hugh's 
under  lip,  where  he  was  biting  it,  and  Lord  Tottenham 
looked  grave.  A  third  thrust,  and  a  very  deadly  one. 
Mr.  Brownker  seemed  to  invite  this,  and  it  passed  clean 
through  his  shirt,  tearing  a  deep  hole  in  the  linen. 
But  he  was  not  touched,  and  before  Hugh  could  re- 
cover himself,  before  Lord  Tottenham  could  utter  the 
cry  of  dismay  that  was  in  his  throat,  the  point  of  Mr. 
Brownker's  steel  was  buried  in  Hugh's  arm  above  the 
elbow.  The  limb  stiffened  instantly  and  Hugh's  sword 
dropped  to  the  ground,  while  Lord  Tottenham  sprang 
forward  and  Mr.  Brownker  lowered  his  weapon.  But 
before  the  seconds  could  come  between  them,  Hugh 
had  caught  up  his  foil  with  the  left  hand. 

85 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Hold,  sir !  "  cried  Lord  Tottenham  furiously. 
"  You  are  disabled.  The  fight  must  cease." 

"  With  Mr.  Brownker's  favour,  it  has  only  just 
begun." 

"  Oh,  that  is  as  you  please,"  was  the  polite  answer, 
with  a  slightest  suspicion  of  a  sneer  at  the  end  of  it. 

"  I  say  it  is  a  mere  trifle,"  Hugh  said  in  a  dogged 
tone,  as  Lord  Tottenham  called  the  surgeons,  "  and 
my  left  hand  is  stronger  than  my  right." 

The  doctors  pronounced  the  wound  severe,  but  not 
such  as  to  incapacitate  Hugh,  if  he  could  fence  left- 
handed.  Lord  Tottenham  appealed  to  Mr.  Brownker. 

"  You  will  refuse  to  fight  a  man  you  have  disarmed. 
It  is  murder." 

Mr.  Brownker  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  I  cannot  refuse,  my  lord,  to  give  this  young  gen- 
tleman satisfaction  if  he  desires  it,  but  I  will  meet  him 
on  equal  ground." 

So  saying,  he  took  his  foil  in  his  left  hand,  and  feel- 
ing the  point  with  a  finger  of  his  right,  resumed  his 
position.  There  was  nothing  more  to  be  said.  The 
surgeon  swiftly  bandaged  Hugh's  arm  to  stop  the 
bleeding,  and  the  men  faced  one  another  again,  left- 
handed. 

"  On  guard !  " 

The  signal  came  from  Mr.  Brownker's  second,  for 
Lord  Tottenham  could  not  speak.  He  was  suffering 
tortures.  His  hopes  had  risen  high.  For  one  mo- 
ment, even,  he  had  thought  Brownker  might  be  over- 
powered, and  he  was  bitterly  disappointed  when 
Hugh's  sword  fell ;  but  it  was  a  great  relief  to  know 
that  a  fair  and  gallant  fight  had  been  fought  out 
without  dishonour  or  disaster.  Now,  after  all,  the 
worst  had  happened.  With  a  devilish  cunning  Brown- 
ker had  contrived  that  an  opportunity  should  be  pro- 

86 


The  King's  Agent 

vided  for  the  fight  to  cease,  but  of  such  a  nature  that 
Hugh  would  rather  die  than  take  it.  Had  he  pinked 
Hugh  in  the  first  instance,  ugly  things  might  have  been 
said — Lord  Tottenham  would  have  taken  care  of  that. 
But  he  had  disarmed  him,  then  was  ready  to  desist  if 
asked ;  and  finally  took  his  foil  in  his  left  hand  and  thus 
stifled  at  once  the  imputation  cast  in  his  teeth  by  Lord 
Tottenham  that  he  was  taking  advantage  of  a  wounded 
man. 

What  now?  To  an  ignorant  observer  it  would 
have  seemed  as  if  the  men  were  tired  or  had  cooled 
down.  But  Lord  Tottenham's  heart  sank  as  he  watched 
Hugh's  face.  It  was  wan  and  haggard.  Clearly  he 
felt  himself  that  there  was  no  hope ;  that  he  was  before 
a  master  of  fence  against  whose  skill  and  knowledge 
his  own  strength  and  nerve  were  useless.  Yet  he  was 
fighting  with  a  desperate  coolness  of  the  man  who, 
while  expecting  death,  is  determined  not  to  die  alone. 
He  ventured  no  more  rash  lunges,  but  he  made  the 
most  of  his  length  of  arm  and  superior  height,  and 
waited  and  kept  still.  He  was  now  an  antagonist  no 
man  could  afford  to  despise,  and  the  doctors,  who  had 
feared  when  he  was  disarmed  to  see  a  swift  and  easy 
victory  for  Brownker,  coughed  and  smiled.  It  was  the 
most  satisfactory  encounter  they  had  seen  for  years. 

Several  minutes  passed,  and  neither  combatant  had 
gained  advantage.  In  vain  did  Mr.  Brownker  leave 
himself  open  to  attack,  exposing  his  shoulder,  his 
head,  even  his  breast,  in  a  most  tempting  manner. 
Hugh,  having  once  tasted  the  fruits  of  that  marvellous 
agility  of  his,  was  no  more  to  be  drawn.  At  length 
Mr.  Brownker,  feeling  this,  changed  his  tactics,  and 
by  almost  imperceptible  degrees  he  took  the  offensive. 
His  thrusts,  light  and  swift  as  the  dart  of  a  cobra's 
head,  now  pressed  upon  Hugh's  guard,  and  with  the 

87 


The  King's  Agent 

least  amount  of  apparent  effort  or  movement,  he  drew 
closer — closer — while  the  perspiration  streamed  from 
Hugh's  brow  and  his  breath  came  heavily.  He  felt 
that  the  end  was  near  now,  and  that  the  moment  had 
come  for  one  supreme  effort.  He  gave  no  warn- 
ing this  time.  A  thrust  of  Mr.  Brownker's  came  in, 
struck  his  adversary's  right  shoulder  and  tore  it  cruelly. 
Hugh,  taking  no  notice  of  it,  stepped  forward  steadily 
and  aimed  a  full  and  deadly  thrust  at  the  breast. 
If  the  play  of  Mr.  Brownker's  foil  had  been  like 
the  cobra's  stroke,  this  of  Hugh's  might  be  com- 
pared to  a  tiger's  spring.  It  was  all  or  nothing  now, 
and  he  knew  it.  Careless  of  defence,  he  lunged  with 
what  force  and  weight  there  was  in  him,  and  in  all 
Mr.  Brownker's  experience  he  was  never  quite  so  near 
to  death.  Even  his  agility  could  not  save  him,  for 
they  were  too  close,  and  had  he  been  obliged  to  trust 
to  that  alone  he  would  have  died.  But  bodily  quick- 
ness is  only  part  of  a  duellist's  equipment.  While 
Hugh's  nerves  were  strained  almost  to  bursting, 
Brownker's  were  steady  and  as  cold  as  ice.  He  met 
the  thrust  now  as  coolly  as  if  a  man  had  knocked 
against  him  in  the  street,  only  slightly  changing  his 
position,  and  the  foil  grazed  his  side  and  passed  along 
his  back.  The  next  instant,  with  a  lightning  turn  of 
the  wrist,  Brownker  had  thrust  full  at  Hugh's  breast, 
the  point  of  his  weapon  entering  an  inch  below  the 
heart.  Hugh's  face  turned  deathly  white.  He  stag- 
gered and  then  fell  fainting  into  Lord  Tottenham's 
arms. 

"  My  boy !  My  own  lad !  "  groaned  the  earl  in  a 
choking  voice  as  he  sprang  forward.  "  Oh,  my  God ! 
my  God  1 " 

He  was  shaking  with  emotion,  and  his  hands 
trembled  so  that  he  could  hardly  tear  away  the  linen 

88 


The  King's  Agent 

to  find  the  wound.  He  did  so,  however,  before  the  sur- 
geon reached  the  spot,  examined  it  closely,  and  then 
turned  slowly  round  with  a  face  of  utter  bewilderment. 

"  May  the  Lord  save  us !  "  he  cried  thickly.  "  The 
thing  is  a  mere  scratch.  It  doth  not  even  bleed." 

Mr.  Brownker  bowed. 

"  That  was  more  than  I  intended,"  he  said  coldly. 
"  I  did  not  mean  to  cut  the  skin." 

He  handed  his  foil  to  his  second,  while  his  surgeon 
stripped  his  right  shoulder,  which  was  bleeding  fast. 
But  now  Hugh,  whose  faintness  had  been  caused  by 
nervous  overstrain,  came  fully  to  himself.  He  had 
heard  Brownker's  words,  comprehended  what  had 
happened,  and  could  have  died  of  shame.  In  every 
face  except  Lord  Tottenham's  he  thought  he  saw  con- 
tempt and  derision.  While  Lord  Tottenham,  whose 
honest  eyes  were  full  of  tears,  muttered  incoherent 
words  of  thankfulness,  he  ground  his  teeth,  and  when 
his  surgeon  would  have  led  him  away  he  thrust  him 
aside  and  walked  across  to  Brownker.  Hugh  was  a 
ghastly  sight.  Blood  had  soaked  through*  the  bandage 
and  streamed  down  his  right  arm,  staining  his  shirt  in 
great  blotches.  His  left  wrist  had  been  gashed  severe- 
ly, and  his  face  was  covered  with  sweat  and  grime. 
He  was  unconscious  of  his  hurts,  however,  uncon- 
scious of  everything  except  that  he  would  have  been 
lying  cold  and  pulseless  on  the  grass  but  for  the  indul- 
gence of  the  man  he  had  tried  with  all  his  strength  to 
kill. 

"  Sir,"  he  said,  standing  before  his  former  enemy, 
a  dozen  feelings  tugging  at  his  heart,  "  what  reason 
had  you  to  hold  your  hand  ?  Why  did  you  not  thrust 
home?" 

Mr.  Brownker,  who  was  in  the  busy  fingers  of  his 
surgeon,  turned  slowly  round. 

89 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Why  should  my  reason,  if  I  have  one,  interest 
you  ?  " 

"  Because  I  cannot  rest  until  I  know  it.  You  have 
never  spared  a  man  before,  and  I  would  have  struck 
you  dead.  There,  you  have  the  truth." 

Mr.  Brownker  nodded. 

"  Ay,  that  is  certainly  the  truth.  If  you  take  les- 
sons you  will  kill  me  the  next  time." 

"  I  kill  the  man  who  has  spared  my  life ! " 

Mr.  Brownker  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  then 
winced  with  the  pain  the  familiar  gesture  gave  him. 

"  Pish !  If  I  am  a  fool  to-day,  why  should  you 
be  a  fool  another  time  ?  " 

He  smiled  sardonically,  and  then  their  eyes  met. 

It  was  a  supreme  moment  in  their  lives,  though 
neither  guessed  it.  While  he  spoke,  Brownker  was 
thinking  that  he  was  very  tired  and  hungry,  and  that 
Hugh  was  a  bore ;  Hugh,  that  he  would  give  a  thou- 
sand pounds  to  turn  his  back  upon  this  man  and  never 
see  him  again.  And  yet  when  their  eyes  met  a  sudden 
thought  flashed  into  the  mind  of  each  at  the  same  mo- 
ment. 

Hugh  was  the  first  to  speak. 

"  Sir,  I  have  misjudged  you.  Can  you  forgive  me 
now?" 

And  Brownker,  who  by  reputation  was  the  coldest- 
hearted  and  most  self-centred  man  in  King  William's 
household — where  there  were  few  who  knew  what 
natural  feeling  meant  except  the  feelings  of  the  brute 
— Brownker  at  these  words  grasped  Hugh's  unwound- 
ed  hand. 

"  Forgive  an  enemy  ?  Nay,  that  I  could  not  do. 
But  I  might  try,  as  an  experiment,  what  it  is  like 
to  be  friends." 


90 


CHAPTER   IX 

A  FULL  and  particular  account  of  the  duel  was  sent 
by  Lord  Tottenham  to  Hollywell  House  the  following 
day,  and  Marlborough  read  it  aloud  to  his  wife  and 
Isabel.  At  the  end  Lady  Sarah  threw  up  her  hands 
in  amazement. 

"  Sakes !  Brownker  spared  him !  It  must  have 
been  by  William's  wish.  Karl  Brownker  would  never 
spare  a  life  unless  he  had  been  bidden." 

"  Indeed,  my  dear  soul,"  Marlborough  said,  look- 
ing at  Isabel's  flushed  face,  "  I  am  much  of  your  opin- 
ion ;  but  it  was  not  the  King  he  talked  with  last  even- 
ing in  the  Nun's  Walk." 

The  countess  laughed. 

"  I  should  have  remembered.  But  what  is  this, 
what  is  this,  then  ?  That  man  does  naught  for  naught. 
Child  " — she  frowned  anxiously — "  tell  my  lord  and 
me,  this  instant,  what  reward  you  promised  Master 
Brownker  if  he  showed  mercy?" 

"  My  friendship,  madam." 

"  Friendship,  indeed !  Try  no  such  bite  on  me,  you 
hussy.  He  has  had  that  for  long  enough,  with  all 
its  privileges." 

"  The  privilege  has  been  respected." 

"  That  I  believe,  because  you  say  it.  But  I  will  not 
believe  he  has  failed  to  make  a  bargain  for  advance." 

"  No.  The  understanding  was  clear  as  words  could 
make  it." 

7  91 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Words — ha,  ha !  A  woman  who  thinks  to  hold 
Karl  Brownker  by  his  word  is  a  fool." 

"  I  am  fool  enough,"  Isabel  said  coolly,  rising  and 
putting  away  her  work,  for  it  was  her  bedtime — eight 
o'clock — "  to  set  more  store  by  Mr.  Brownker's  word 
than  your  ladyship  does." 

"  Then  you  are  an  impudent  minx,"  the  countess 
rejoined,  pinching  her  ear,  "  and  a  greater  fool  than 
ever  I  imagined.  But,  in  seriousness,  mind  where  you 
tread.  I  have  said  a  dozen  times  this  man  pursues 
you  as  a  weasel  hunts  a  rat.  I  call  him  weasel  for  he 
never  trips  himself  in  anything  by  overhaste;  yet  is 
ever  at  heel  drawing  nearer,  nearer.  My  lord  shakes 
his  head,  but  I  know  that  I  am  right;  and  mark  me, 
whatever  you  may  say,  or  think,  or  do,  that  knave,  by 
sparing  the  life  of  Master  Hugh  Montgomery,  is 
nearer  his  desires  than  he  has  been  since  first  his  black 
shadow  crossed  our  threshold.  To  bed,  and  dream  of 
rats!" 

Isabel  made  a  low  courtesy. 

"Your  ladyship  shall  be  obeyed.  It's  good  luck, 
they  say,  to  dream  of  rats." 

"  Impudence !  "  Lady  Sarah  cried,  slapping  the  girl 
on  both  cheeks  with  pretence  of  great  violence.  "  On 
my  honour,  if  you  do  not  mend  your  ways  you  shall 
pack.  Begone,  and  a  plague  on  you ;  and  if  Karl 
Brownker  suits  not  your  fancy,  call  up  the  other  gen- 
tleman." 

Isabel  retired  obediently  to  the  door;  but  as  she 
curtsied  to  Marlborough,  who  had  opened  it  for  her, 
she  said  over  her  shoulder  with  a  mischievous  face: 

"  Alack,  madam,  but  then  they  might  fight  again, 
and  over  me !  " 

Then  she  fled,  pursued  by  a  last  word  from  her 
ladyship,  which  need  not  be  written  down.  But  Isabel 

92 


The  King's  Agent 

cared  little  for  Lady  Sarah's  sharp  words.  They  un- 
derstood each  other.  Isabel  knew  her  mistress  well, 
and  loved  and  served  her  faithfully. 

All  that  was  good  and  hopeful  in  Isabel's  life  she 
owed  to  the  Countess  of  Marlborough,  from  the  day— r 
the  never-to-be-forgotten  day — when  Lady  Sarah  paid 
a  flying  visit  to  a  farm  owned  by  Isabel's  father,  a 
poor  squire,  and  saw  a  long-limbed  girl  of  sixteen 
years  old  standing  on  a  haystack  ricking  hay,  and  not 
only  working  herself  with  immense  energy  and  muscu- 
lar activity,  but  making  all  the  farm  hands  round  her 
work  with  a  briskness  rarely  to  be  seen.  This  sight 
made  so  deep  an  impression  upon  the  countess  that  she 
had  carried  off  Isabel  that  very  night,  and  had  not 
parted  with  her  since. 

Isabel's  father  was  Lady  Sarah's  cousin,  but  there 
was  no  love  lost  between  them,  which,  indeed,  was  part- 
ly why  her  ladyship  took  his  daughter  from  him.  He 
was  a  sour,  ill-natured  man,  and  had  married  a  wife  of 
feeble  constitution  who  had  died  when  Isabel  was  a  child. 
There  were  no  other  children,  and  the  squire  had  taken 
much  to  drink.  His  house,  therefore,  was  no  place 
for  a  young  girl  growing  fast  into  a  beautiful  woman- 
hood. Lady  Sarah  did  many  a  charitable  act  in  her 
life,  for,  with  all  her  hardness,  she  liked  helping  oth- 
ers, but  never  one  that  had  more  important  conse- 
quences for  herself  than  that  adoption  of  Isabel  Fretch- 
ville.  In  the  Marlborough  household,  the  girl's  native 
energy,  and  the  training  she  had  received  in  her 
father's  house,  together  with  an  innate  love  of  children, 
made  her  an  invaluable  servant  companion,  mother's 
help,  and  housekeeper.  She  began  by  being  all  these 
things  in  turn  and  sometimes  all  at  once.  Finally, 
Marlborough's  steward  dying  suddenly  one  day,  the 
girl  applied  for  the  post,  went  on  to  the  estate,  and  did 

93 


The  King's  Agent 

so  well  that  she  was  allowed  to  take  the  situation.  Per- 
haps the  fact  that  only  half  the  wages  were  paid  to 
her  which  would  have  been  given  to  a  man  had  some- 
thing to  do  with  Marlborough's  strange  choice  of  a 
manager;  but  it  was  that  manager's  ability  and 
quickness  in  learning  which  enabled  her  to  keep  the 
place. 

It  was  a  curious  position  for  any  woman  to  be  in  in 
those  days,  and  was  possible  only  in  such  a  household 
as  the  Countess  of  Marlborough's.  But  Lady  Sarah, 
though  tyrannical  to  a  degree,  always  encouraged 
women  who  could  hold  their  own,  even  while  she 
would  periodically  abuse  them ;  and  Isabel,  besides  her 
other  qualities,  possessed  that  of  a  good  temper,  and, 
taking  example  by  my  lord  himself,  she  pursued  her 
way  evenly  and  steadily,  and  with  her  patience  weath- 
ered all  the  storms  with  her  mistress,  and,  as  a  reward, 
was  allowed  an  even  greater  freedom  of  action  in  her 
own  private  affairs  than  was  customary  at  that  time, 
though  the  lack  of  control  in  all  households  brought 
up  under  the  court  of  Charles  II.  still  generally  pre- 
vailed. 

One  of  the  consequences  of  this  freedom  was  the 
friendship  with  Karl  Brownker.  Though  Lady  Sarah 
was  far  too  shrewd  a  woman  of  the  world  to  fail  to 
perceive  the  object  of  his  attentions  to  her  husband's 
paid  servant  and  her  own  poor  relation,  she  never 
interfered.  She  had  given  Isabel  warning  the  first 
day — a  warning  which  she  repeated  whenever  Karl 
Brownker's  name  was  mentioned — but  beyond  that 
she  did  nothing,  and  let  him  come  and  go  as  he  chose. 
It  was  her  creed  that  a  woman  who  cannot  take  care 
of  herself  in  such  matters  deserves  what  she  gets.  In 
her  own  young  days,  passed  in  the  court  of  Charles 
II.,  Lady  Sarah  had  been  pursued  by  numbers  of 

94 


The  King's  Agent 

evil-minded  men,  yet  had  escaped  without  a  scar.  Isa- 
bel, she  thought,  could  do  the  same. 

Accustomed  to  the  girl's  spirit  and  fearlessness,  she 
credited  her  with  far  greater  knowledge  of  the  world 
than  she  really  possessed,  for  Isabel  had  not  been 
brought  up  in  fashionable  society  after  the  blessed 
Restoration,  but  had  breathed  all  her  life  the  fresh, 
pure  air  of  the  country.  She  was  lonely,  very  lonely, 
and  in  her  heart  of  hearts,  growing  with  her  woman- 
hood, was  a  vague  but  irrepressible  yearning  for  the 
friendship  of  men. 

The  roots  of  the  plant  had  been  struck  in  rich 
ground,  the  plant  itself  had  grown  quickly  and  was 
strong  and  full  of  life  and  vigour,  and  now  the  flower 
was  in  bud,  ready  to  burst  into  bloom  when  it  felt  the 
heat  of  the  sun. 


95 


CHAPTER   X 

A  WEEK  had  passed  since  the  duel,  nine  days  since 
Marlborough  had  been  dismissed  from  court  by  the 
King.  In  London  all  was  unrest.  Men  of  every  shade 
of  politics  were  uneasy  at  this  act  of  the  King's.  The 
courtiers,  of  course,  and  the  bulk  of  the  great  Whig 
party,  declared  it  was  a  righteous  act,  and  that,  if  all 
were  known,  Marlborough  deserved  not  only  dismissal, 
but  imprisonment  and  attainder.  Public  men  did  not 
mince  their  words  in  the  seventeenth  century. 

Most  of  the  Tories,  on  the  other  hand,  were  either 
furious  or  frightened,  as  their  several  positions  dic- 
tated. But  whatever  might  be  their  private  feelings, 
they  were  too  weak  even  to  protest  in  public ;  while  so 
afraid  were  they  of  being  accused  in  a  like  manner  and 
becoming  marked  as  hostile  to  the  King  that  scarcely 
one  of  them  expressed  a  word  of  sympathy  with  their 
former  comrade.  Wherever  Marlborough  went  he 
met  with  cold  looks  and  averted  eyes.  Lord  Totten- 
ham, and  a  few  intimates  alone,  grasped  his  hand  as 
of  old,  and  even  these  mostly  did  so  where  they  could 
not  be  perceived  by  their  friends. 

But  through  all  this  turmoil,  hearing  whispers  on 
every  side  that  he  might  be  at  any  moment  apprehend- 
ed by  the  King's  messengers  and  thrown  into  the 
Tower,  knowing  that  spies  watched  him  when  he 
walked  abroad  and  filled  his  house  in  the  country  and 
in  town,  Marlborough  went  his  way  serene  and  smil- 

96 


The  King's  Agent 

ing,  answering  cold  greetings  with  dignified  reserve, 
treating  all  innuendoes  with  contempt,  preserving  in 
private  and  in  public,  to  his  wife  as  much  as  towards 
his  enemies,  an  unruffled  countenance.  His  attitude 
was  that  of  respectful  surprise  and  reproach  that  he 
who  had  done  so  much  and  served  his  King  so  well 
should  be  treated  so  scurvily  now ;  but  he  never  failed 
to  intimate  that  time  must  justify  all  that  he  had  done 
and  bring  him  into  favour,  and  that  through  ill  report 
as  through  good  report  he  was  ready  at  any  moment 
to  draw  his  sword,  and  give  his  life  for  the  King  and 
Queen  to  whom  he  had  sworn  allegiance  on  their  coro- 
nation day. 

What  thoughts  lay  in  his  mind  behind  the  unchang- 
ing calm  of  his  firm,  still  face  no  one  knew. 

It  was  a  bright,  sunny  afternoon  in  the  first  week 
in  February— one  of  those  afternoons  that  seem  to 
breathe  the  coming  spring.  A  bird  twittered  here  and 
there  in  the  trees  and  hedges  of  Hollywell;  fresh 
blades  of  grass  were  springing  on  the  long  stretch  of 
lawn  before  the  house,  and  the  earliest  flowers  were 
boldly  showing  their  heads,  taking  no  thought  of  the 
bitter  blasts  and  nipping  frosts  to  come  in  the  near 
future.  February  and  March  had  to  run  their  course 
and  spring  was  far  away,  but  the  sun  shone;  the  air 
was  soft  and  mild,  and  birds  and  flowers  and  men 
basked  in  its  warmth  and  let  the  future  take  care  of 
itself. 

On  the  lawn,  which  sloped  gently  to  the  hedge  that 
divided  the  Hollywell  estate  from  the  road,  Marl- 
borough  and  his  wife  were  pacing  up  and  down  in 
quiet  talk.  Marlborough  had  returned  from  London 
the  day  before,  and  they  had  been  discussing  the  news 
of  the  town.  Public  business,  however,  had  not  been 
Marlborough's  sole  occupation.  He  had  seen  Lord 

97 


The  King's  Agent 

Tottenham  on  private  matters,  and  had  just  now  in- 
formed his  wife  what  those  matters  were. 

"  My  word !  a  great  match  for  the  child,"  Lady 
Sarah  was  saying  with  a  smile  that,  for  a  moment, 
softened  into  loveliness  the  hard  beauty  of  her  face. 
"  Sure,  John,  it  is  a  really  noble  match.  Ten  thousand 
pounds  a  year  and  Ned  Tottenham's  money  when  he 
dies.  Surely  my  puss  was  born  with  a  golden  spoon." 

Marlborough  made  no  answer,  but  took  a  pinch  of 
snuff  with  a  thoughtful  face.  The  countess  looked  up 
quickly. 

"  You  do  not  approve.    Your  reasons  ?  " 

"  Fie,  fie,  my  dear  heart,"  he  said  deprecatingly. 
"  Think  you  I  would  bar  Isabel  from  such  a  stroke  o'f 
fortune  ?  It  is  a  royal  match." 

"  Nevertheless,  it  meets  not  with  my  Lord  of  Marl- 
borough's  approval.  Your  mind,  and  all  your  mind, 
or  never  say  again  you  love  me,  sir." 

Marlborough  raised  her  hand  to  his  lips.  "  Dearest 
soul  of  mine,  I  would  die  rather  than  keep  a  thought 
from  you.  I  cannot  conceive  a  better  marriage  for 
Isabel  in  respect  of  money ;  but  Hugh  Montgomery  is 
not  the  only  man  she  knows,  and  for  our  own  sakes,  at 
least,  we  should  not  be  too  hasty  in  giving  a  consent." 

"  All  of  which  means  that  Karl  Brownker  holds  a 
lien  on  the  Earl  of  Marlborough.  Chut !  I  have  seen 
you  growing  towards  him  all  this  month  past,  and  have 
sickened  at  the  sight." 

They  were  strolling  now  down  the  drive,  and 
Lady  Sarah  picking  up  a  tough  green  branch  of  oak, 
bent  and  broke  it  into  pieces  with  her  strong  white 
fingers. 

"  Brownker ! "  she  went  on,  Marlborough  remain- 
ing silent.  "  What  is  this  Brownker  ?  The  bastard 
brat  of  one  of  William's  Dutch  intimates  by  some 

98 


The  King's  Agent 

abandoned  Englishwoman.  He  was  put  to  school  in 
France  among  the  Jesuits,  brought  up  later  among  all 
the  villainies  of  our  Dutchman's  court,  polished  later 
still  by  the  vices  of  our  own  when  William  came  here 
first,  and  then,  returning  to  that  Hague  hog's  pen,  he 
became  the  finished  rogue,  the  very  Satan  of  a  fellow, 
that  we  know  to-day ;  and  so  this  thing,  my  lord,  you'd 
unite  with  Isabel !  " 

"  Heaven  forbid !  "  Marlborough  exclaimed.  "  I 
would  sooner  put  her  in  her  grave.  But  dearest, 
though  you  are  an  admirable  artist,  one  stroke  is  want- 
ing to  complete  your  picture — the  stroke  that  will  ex- 
plain my  motive  well." 

"  I  know  of  none  to  his  credit." 

"  He  is  private  counsellor  and  a  devoted  friend  of 
his  Majesty  the  King." 

"  You  call  him  King,"  cried  Sarah,  clinching  her 
teeth,  "  I  call  him  a  low  Dutch  hog ;  and  this  man 
scavenger  of  the  garbage  he  feeds  on — lies !  " 

"  And  the  King's  enemies,  my  dear,  are  Brown- 
ker's,  and  Brownker's  the  King's." 

But  Lady  Sarah  was  in  a  passion.  "  I  would  not 
sacrifice  Isabel's  honour  for  the  favour  of  a  score  of 
kings." 

Marlborough  flushed,  and  for  once  in  his  life  spoke 
almost  sharply  to  his  wife.  "  Her  honour,  madam ! 
It  is  as  dear  to  me  as  your  own.  I  had  no  such 
thought." 

"  Well,  and  if  he  propose  marriage,"  she  rejoined, 
"  and  by  force  or  wile  should  compass  it  against  your 
will?" 

"  Then,  my  sweet,"  Marlborough  said  slowly,  with 
a  face  of  steel,  "  our  gracious  King  would  lose  his 
scavenger." 

"  You  would  kill  the  man ! "  she  cried  eagerly. 
99 


The  King's  Agent 

Then  her  face  changed.  "  No,  no !  I  will  not  have  you 
risk  your  life  on  such  a  one." 

Marlborough  smiled  and  pressed  her  hand. 
"  There  would  be  no  risk  for  me.  He  has  a  pretty 
style,  but  we  were  taught  to  fence." 

Lady  Sarah  gave  an  impatient  sigh.  "  Then  if 
you  would  kill  him,  I  do  not  take  your  meaning  in  the 
least." 

"  I  would  kill  him,  I  say,  before  he  should  harm 
our  daughter.  But  at  the  present  for  my  own  purpose 
I  would  play  with  him." 

"  He  will  play  with  you,  if  you  are  not  careful." 

"  Listen,"  Marlborough  continued  without  noticing 
the  remark.  "  The  King  has  dismissed  me,  dearest — 
kicked  me  from  his  door  like  a  dog.  Why?" 

"  Why  ?  "  she  cried,  stamping  in  her  rage,  "  why  ? 
Because  the  black  abortion  of  a  Dutch  usurper  hath 
spite  upon  his  tongue  always,  and  jealousy  in  his 
heart." 

"  And  knowledge,"  Marlborough  added  softly. 

The  countess  became  suddenly  still. 

"  Knowledge  ?  "  she  said  breathlessly,  "  knowledge 
of  what?" 

Marlborough  looked  round.  They  were  on  the 
drive  now,  near  some  stumps  of  laurel  and  rhododen- 
dron bushes.  Before  replying  he  put  his  arm  through 
his  wife's  and  drew  her  on  to  the  lawn  again,  away 
from  all  places  where  a  listener  might  be  concealed. 

"  Tell  me,"  Sarah  cried,  "  all  you  know  and  mean." 

"  My  soul,  there  are  certain  vile  persons  who  pre- 
tend to  have  a  commission  from  King  James  to  ap- 
proach all  who  might,  in  his  Majesty's  opinion,  aid 
him  to  gain  the  throne.  They  entice  a  man  to  commit 
himself,  and  then,  for  money,  they  betray  him  to  the 
agents  of  King  William." 

100 


The  King's  Agent 

"  A  man  of  this  kind  has  been  to  you  ?  " 

"  He  has  been  to  all — to  Sunderland  and  Shrews- 
bury, Godolphin,  even  to  Devonshire.  He  was  an  im- 
pudent fellow,  and  produced  papers  that  were  most 
convincing." 

"  What  said  you  to  him  ?    Tell  me  every  word." 

Marlborough  smiled.  "  I  inquired  after  King 
James's  health." 

"No  more?" 

"  My  heart,  think  you  I  would  say  more  to  such 
a  one  as  Robert  Young  ?  " 

Lady  Sarah  started. 

"  That  man  a  Jacobite  agent  ?  " 

"  Nay,  a  spy,  my  love,  in  Karl  Brownker's  pay." 

"  But  you  made  him  chaplain  to  the  men.  Why, 
you  even  let  him  dine  once  at  our  table." 

Marlborough  laughed. 

"  By  the  first  expedient  I  discovered  that  he  was 
no  clergyman,  and  by  the  second  that  he  had  no  man- 
ners." 

"  The  insult  to  Isabel,  then,  was  planned." 

"  Not  the  very  least.  Brownker  made  use  of  a  bad 
tool,  which  he  will  now  put  upon  the  grindstone.  I 
should  not  like  to  be  Robert  Young." 

"  I  would  serve  Karl  Brownker  worse." 

"  I  shall,  perhaps,  one  day,"  Marlborough  said  soft- 
ly. "  But  for  the  time  I  have  against  me  two  men 
whose  match  for  villainy  and  determination  it  would 
be  hard  to  find." 

"  Who  would  believe  the  word  of  such  a  one  as 
Young?" 

"  It  is  not  his  word  I  fear,  it  is  his  wit.  That  rogue 
has  uncommon  wit.  There  is  but  one  way  to  meet  him. 
So  long  as  my  name  is  under  cloud  at  court,  we  must 
not  make  an  enemy  of  Brownker,  and,  more,  we  must, 

101 


The  King's  Agent 

by  restraint  of  Hugh  Montgomery  even  to  the  point 
of  discouraging  his  visits  to  this  house,  allow  your 
scavenger  to  think  we  are  leaving  Isabel  unguarded. 
He  will  attempt  no  violence,  that  is  not  his  way;  and 
if  I  do  not  mistake,  that  child  has  already  partly  gauged 
with  her  keen  woman's  -instinct  the  nature  of  the  man. 
Now  tell  me  your  will,  and  whether  you  do  not  think 
with  me  that,  for  the  present,  we  must  put  Ned  Tot- 
tenham off." 

A  silence  of  some  minutes  followed.  Lady  Marl- 
borough,  though  hasty  and  impulsive  in  small  matters, 
thought  out  great  questions  thoroughly  before  she 
committed  herself  to  an  opinion  on  them,  and  few 
men  could  take  a  wider,  surer  grasp  of  facts  than 
Marlborough's  wife  where  the  safety  of  her  husband 
was  in  question.  Presently  she  said  in  a  cold,  deter- 
mined tone : 

"If  Brownker  is  to  be  thoroughly  deceived,  Hugh 
Montgomery  must  be  put  to  the  wall." 

Marlborough  shook  his  head. 

"  That  is  not  possible." 

"  Nothing  less  will  prevent  Brownker  from  plan- 
ning your  ruin.  He  will  make  the  most  of  your  dis- 
grace, which,  like  enough,  is  owing  to  his  vile  tongue. 
He  will  work  with  this  and  that  until  in  some  man- 
ner he  gets  you  in  his  power.  The  child,  you  say, 
has  spirit.  Ay,  and  there  in  particular  lies  danger. 
Brownker  is  one  to  prize  that  most  which  eludes  or 
defies  him.  Already  his  fancy  for  the  child  has  be- 
come a  passion,  or  he'd  not  have  spared  his  rival." 

"  True  enough ;  but  it  was  such  folly  that  it  shows 
desire  has  nearly  turned  his  brain.  There  lies  our  op- 
portunity. But  we  must  not  make  an  enemy  of  Mont- 
gomery." 

"  Pooh !  he  does  not  count  with  me,"  Sarah  said 
1 02 


The  King's  Agent 

carelessly.  "  His  regard  for  you  is  too  tender,  his  na- 
ture too  straightforward  and  simple  for  any  disap- 
pointment to  make  him  dangerous.  I  say,  cut  him  off, 
and  let  Karl  Brownker  think  it  is  to  favour  his  designs. 
Then  play  with  Brownker,  now  hot,  now  cold,  until 
some  chance  lifts  you  into  favour  or  until  William 
dies — Lord  grant  the  consumption  in  his  face  may  kill 
him  soon ! — then  crush  the  man  as  you  would  crush  a 
fly.  That  is  the  only  way." 

But  Marlborough  shook  his  head  a  second  time. 

"  I  cannot  dismiss  Montgomery  so  summarily.  He 
is  a  right  good  lad." 

"  Hoity  toity !  "  exclaimed  Lady  Sarah  impatient- 
ly. "  There  are  scores  as  good  as  he.  On  my  word, 
he  irks  me  now;  a  very  gadfly  of  a  fellow,  proposing 
marriage  when  he  has  seen  the  girl  but  once.  Sakes ! 
a  red-hot  blade — a  very  rake-hell !  When  I  meet  him 
next  I  will,  I  warrant,  cool  off  his  ardours." 

The  sound  of  hoofs  in  the  road,  the  clash  of  an 
opening  gate,  and  up  the  drive  came  a  horseman,  who 
when  he  saw  the  earl  and  countess  raised  his  hat.  It 
was  Hugh  himself. 

Marlborough  looked  at  his  wife  and  smiled.  Her 
ladyship  did  not  smile. 

Poor  Hugh!  he  believed  his  troubles  were  all  over 
now.  Such  confidence  had  he  in  the  welcome  they 
would  give  him  that  for  the  moment  he  forgot  the 
pain  of  his  half-healed  wounds,  the  aching  of  his 
wearied  limbs,  the  weight  of  his  burning,  throbbing 
brow. 

In  defiance  of  the  doctor,  Lord  Tottenham,  and  his 
own  common  sense,  he  had  ventured  on  this  journey 
when  he  should  have  been  in  bed.  Six  days  he  had 
been  there,  for  the  wound  in  his  right  arm  had  become 
inflamed  and  given  trouble — six  days  and  six  nights, 

103 


The  King's  Agent 

all  of  which  he  had  spent  thinking  and  dreaming  of 
Isabel. 

He  had  fallen  in  love  as  only  a  man  under  twenty- 
one,  who  for  the  first  time  sees  his  ideal  woman,  can 
fall  in  love.  Every  moment  of  the  day  he  thought  of 
Isabel;  every  hour  of  the  night  in  the  fitful  slumber 
his  wounds  allowed  him  he  dreamed  of  Isabel.  He 
babbled  of  her  to  himself,  he  talked  of  her  eternally 
to  Lord  Tottenham,  until  the  earl  in  desperation  went 
to  Marlborough.  With  curious  lack  of  judgment  he 
told  Hugh  he  was  going,  and  when  he  returned  with 
an  evasive,  unsatisfactory  reply,  Hugh's  cup  was  full. 
He  said  little,  to  Lord  Tottenham's  unspeakable  relief, 
but  the  next  day  he  horrified  the  earl  by  announcing 
his  intended  journey,  and  the  day  after  he  left  his  bed 
for  the  saddle,  and  rode  twenty  miles.  By  the  time  he 
reached  St.  Albans  he  was  in  a  raging  fever,  and  when 
at  last  his  horse  paced  up  the  drive  of  Hollywell  House 
he  was  trembling  with  weakness  and  aching  in  every 
limb.  Revived  by  the  sight  of  the  Marlboroughs,  how- 
ever, he  made  his  bow  with  a  composed  face. 

"  I  have  taken  your  ladyship  at  your  word,"  he 
said,  wondering  why  his  voice  sounded  so  hoarse  and 
weak,  as  if  it  were  another  person's.  "I  trust  that 
my  visit  is  not  ill-timed." 

Lady  Sarah  received  his  salutation  with  a  very 
slight  inclination  of  the  head. 

"  Why,  indeed,  sir,  since  you  ask  the  question, 
truth  to  say  it  is,"  she  replied  with  the  smoothness  of 
an  icicle.  "  But,  pray,  have  some  refreshment  on 
your  journey.  And  then,  if  your  horse  is  weary,  there 
is  an  inn  two  miles  along  the  road." 

Hugh  sat  still  and  stared  at  her  as  one  stunned. 
Then  the  blood  rushed  to  his  temples,  and  he  made  a 
deep  obeisance. 

104 


The  King's  Agent 

"  There  was  only  one  refreshment  I  craved  as  the 
reward  of  my  journey,  and  that  was  your  ladyship's 
welcome.  Since  I  am  denied  it  I  will  return  to  Lon- 
don." 

He  struck  his  horse  with  his  spur  and  wheeled 
about.  But  the  animal  being  tired  and  hungry  was  not 
at  all  to  his  master's  mind,  and  resisted  restively. 
Meanwhile  Sarah,  pleased  at  Hugh's  spirit,  exclaimed 
more  good-humouredly : 

"  Nay,  be  riot  so  cruel  to  your  horse.  Dismount, 
sir,  for  his  sake  if  not  for  ours,  and  let  the  poor  beast 
have  a  mash." 

Hugh  tightened  the  rein. 

"  My  horse  thanks  your  ladyship,  but  he  has  earned 
no  favour  from  you  by  carrying  me  here.  Your  serv- 
ant, my  lord,  and  I  will  never — never " 

He  could  not  find  the  right  word.  His  horse 
seemed  all  at  once  to  have  lost  its  balance,  then  to 
plunge  into  some  great  sea.  There  was  a  rushing  in 
his  eyes  and  a  deadly  sickness  in  his  throat,  and  he 
lost  all  consciousness.  When  he  came  to  himself  he 
was  on  the  grass,  his  head  supported  upon  some  one's 
knee.  A  hand  was  loosening  his  collar,  and  a  cool 
breath  of  air  was  playing  upon  his  forehead.  But  the 
comfort  of  this  was  broken  by  the  sound  of  a  hard, 
unsympathetic  voice. 

"  Stuff  and  nonsense !  "  the  countess  said.  "  The 
man  is  only  giddy  with  a  little  weariness.  There  is 
no  need  for  fuss." 

"  There  is  need  for  every  care,"  a  voice  answered — 
Marlborough's.  "  He  must  not  suffer  through  neglect 
of  ours.  Pray,  to  the  house,  and  order  a  bed  to  be 
prepared  at  once,  and  find  Isabel — she  has  some  gift  in 
nursing — then  send  for  a  doctor  instantly.  Do  not 
delay  a  moment.  James  and  I  will  bring  him  in." 

105 


The  King's  Agent 

Hugh  now  felt  himself  grasped  firmly  round  the 
shoulders  and  knew  that  he  was  in  Marlborough's 
arms.  The  giddiness  returned  and  he  lost  con- 
sciousness again,  but  there  was  a  happy  smile  upon  his 
lips. 


106 


CHAPTER  XI 

HUGH  was  very  ill.  The  over-exertion  of  the  ride 
from  London  inflamed  his  half-healed  wounds;  fever 
came  on,  and  had  not  his  constitution  been  of  iron, 
and  the  doctor  who  attended  him  an  exceptionally 
clever  one,  his  impatience  to  see  Isabel  would  have 
cost  him  his  life.  Lady  Marlborough  was  responsible 
for  the  choice  of  a  doctor.  Her  ladyship,  thinking 
more  of  economy  than  of  her  visitor,  sent  for  the 
cheapest  practitioner  she  knew,  with  the  result,  luckily 
enough  for  Hugh,  that  one  of  the  best  physicians  who 
failed  to  make  his  profession  pay  through  a  bad  tem- 
per, and  an  atrocious  habit  of  telling  the  truth  unvar- 
nished, took  Hugh's  case  in  hand. 

Dr.  James  Burtnup  was  a  short,  bandy-legged  man 
with  near-sighted  eyes,  a  turn-up  nose,  and  a  great 
mane  of  harsh  red  hair.  A  disputatious,  ungovernable 
man  in  general  society,  in  the  sick-room  he  never 
spoke  at  all,  except  to  give  curt  orders  to  patient  or 
nurse.  Watchful,  sphinx-like,  he  was  full  of  resources 
when  his  patient  grew  worse,  circumventing  disease 
in  the  most  unexpected  ways,  and  sometimes,  even  in 
the  worst  cases,  gaining  the  victory  at  the  last  mo- 
ment by  his  obstinacy  in  refusing  to  give  up  hope  until 
the  pulse  was  still. 

In  Hugh's  case  he  reversed  all  the  customary  treat- 
ment of  his  day  by  refusing  to  bleed  his  patient  at  all, 
though  he  was  delirious.  The  Lady  Sarah  was  so 
8  107 


The  King's  Agent 

shocked  that  she  threatened  to  turn  him  out  neck  and 
crop,  and  would  have  done  it  had  not  Isabel  and  the 
earl  combined  and  kept  her  out  of  the  sick-room  alto- 
gether. Isabel  and  Doctor  Burtnup  were  great  allies, 
and  Burtnup,  making  the  most  of  his  victory  over  the 
countess,  who,  not  being  allowed  her  own  way  washed 
her  hands  of  the  whole  business,  coolly  installed  Isa- 
bel as  nurse  and  cook  for  the  invalid. 

The  doctor  himself  was  nurse-in-chief.  He  had 
few  patients,  and  Hugh's  condition  was  critical;  so 
by  the  earl's  invitation,  prompted  by  Isabel,  he  took 
up  his  abode  at  Hollywell  House  and  ruled  it,  so  far 
as  his  patient  was  concerned,  with  a  rod  of  iron. 

Before  many  days  had  passed,  an  exodus  took  place 
from  Hollywell.  The  Princess  Anne,  just  then  in  deli- 
cate health,  had  sent  post-haste  for  her  "  dear  Mrs. 
Freeman,"  and  Lady  Sarah  was  obliged  to  depart 
forthwith  to  town.  Marlborough  followed  on  political 
business  as  soon  as  Hugh  was  out  of  danger,  and  thus, 
after  all  her  ladyship's  resolutions,  the  young  people 
were  brought  together,  and  Hugh  from  the  gates  of 
death  passed  into  a  state  of  felicity  and  happiness 
which  repaid  him  a  thousand-fold  for  all  that  he  had 
suffered. 

The  fever  abated  in  a  few  days,  but  it  left  Hugh 
very  weak,  and  Dr.  Burtnup  sternly  ordered  him  not 
to  go  out,  nor  to  move  hand  or  foot  without  his  per- 
mission, declaring  that  if  he  violated  any  direction 
whatsoever  he  would  be  an  ingrate,  a  monster  of  in- 
gratitude. Dr.  Burtnup,  if  he  did  save  a  man's  life, 
spared  no  pains  to  inform  him  of  the  fact.  But  it  is 
to  be  feared  that  there  were  wheels  within  wheels 
here.  Hugh,  of  course,  was  as  guileless  as  all  lovers 
are  where  every  moment  spent  in  their  mistress's  sight 
is  worth  a  fortune.  He  was  so  touched  at  his  doctor's 

108 


The  King's  Agent 

solicitude  that  whereas  when  desperately  ill  he  had 
feed  him  at  the  rate  of  five  guineas  a  week,  now  that 
he  was  convalescent  he  offered  him  double  the  amount 
to  continue  a  merely  intermittent  supervision,  which, 
as  it  happened,  included  a  bulletin  to  London  when 
Lady  Sarah  sent  to  inquire.  Dr.  Burtnup,  for  his 
part,  pocketed  the  fee,  and  bullied  his  patient  to  his 
heart's  content,  at  the  same  time  contriving  that  the 
patient's  particular  desires  should  be  gratified  as  much 
as  possible. 

A  month  passed  in  this  manner,  and  the  servants 
and  other  members  of  the  Hollywell  household,  who 
had  not  expected  when  Hugh  was  brought  in  against 
the  will  of  her  ladyship  that  he  would  stay  a  week, 
now  began  to  wonder  whether  he  would  ever  go  away. 
Not  that  any  of  them  wished  it.  Love  has  various 
effects  on  different  temperaments.  On  Hugh's,  at 
least  in  the  present  stage  of  affairs,  it  made  him  more 
friendly,  more  generous,  more  anxious  to  be  friends 
with  all  the  world  than  he  had  ever  been,  and  the 
humblest  servant  in  the  house  received  some  sub- 
stantial token  of  his  regard.  As  for  the  children,  they 
worshipped  him  one  and  all. 

In  the  mornings,  when  Isabel  was  on  her  rounds 
about  the  estate,  he  gathered  the  family  round  him 
and  played  games  without  end.  Later,  when  he  was 
better,  and  on  some  pretext  or  other  contrived  to  be 
with  Isabel,  or  to  serve  her,  all  day  long,  he  still  gave 
himself  up  to  the  children  for  an  hour  before  their  bed- 
time. Then  there  was  blindman's-buff  and  hide-and- 
seek,  and  sometimes  a  dance  when  Madam  Carring- 
ton,  Marlborough's  cousin,  played  for  them.  Isabel 
at  first  was  not  present  at  these  entertainments,  but  the 
children,  artfully  prompted  by  Hugh,  raised  so  vigor- 
ous a  protest  that  she  had  to  come,  and  so  infectious 

109 


The  King's  Agent 

was  the  frolic  of  the  hour  that  she  soon  joined  in  it 
heart  and  soul,  and  more  than  once  danced  a  minuet 
with  Hugh. 

Children  are  observant  creatures,  and  Hugh  was  as 
transparent  a  lover  as  ever  lived ;  and  it  presently  be- 
came evident  that  they  guessed  much.  Yet  they  were 
discreet.  The  enfant  terrible  is  not  half  so  gruesome  a 
creature  as  he  is  painted,  when  he  loves  his  victim. 
They  watched,  they  saw,  and  they  rejoiced — but  they 
did  not  tell.  Hugh  scarcely  perceived  that  he  was 
found  out,  and  Isabel,  though  more  clear-sighted, 
blamed  the  servants  for  putting  foolish  notions  into 
the  little  heads  and  took  it  as  a  joke.  But  with  the 
children  it  was  no  joke.  Even  Charley,  the  two- 
year-old,  caught  the  infection.  When  after  games  he 
rested  on  Hugh's  knee  he  would  never  be  content 
until  Isabel  sat  beside  him,  and  then  would  beam 
upon  them  like  a  small  Cupid  crowned  with  golden 
hair. 

This  state  of  things  ended  suddenly.  One  morn- 
ing at  breakfast  a  letter  arrived  from  Lord  Totten- 
ham informing  Hugh  that  he  had  just  seen  the  coun- 
tess, and  that  unless  Hugh  returned  at  once  conse- 
quences too  awful  to  write  about  would  ensue.  Hugh 
was  in  a  mood  to  defy  the  countess  and  everybody  on 
earth,  for  he  was  hopeful  that  day.  But  he  refrained, 
for  Lord  Tottenham's  sake,  and  presently  confounded 
the  family  by  announcing  that  he  must  return  to 
London. 

The  intelligence  was  received  with  shrill  protests 
from  the  older  children,  by  Charley  with  woeful  howls, 
by  Madam  Carrington  with  polite  regrets,  and  by  Isa- 
bel in  silence.  Hugh,  while  he  pacified  Charley  with 
an  immense  lump  of  sugar,  watched  her  face  furtively 
and  felt  chilled  and  disappointed.  It  was  serious 

no 


The  King's  Agent 

enough,  but  there  was  no  reflection  in  it  of  the  pain 
which  he  knew  was  in  his  own. 

Hugh  was  very  sore  at  this.  Not  that  he  could 
have  put  his  finger  upon  a  single  definite  occasion  on 
which  Isabel  had  granted  him  any  particular  favour, 
but  as  a  whole  she  had  treated  him  with  a  confidence 
and,  apparently,  a  real  pleasure  in  his  company,  which, 
seeming  to  grow  closer  as  the  days  went  on,  had 
warmed  his  spirit  into  a  steady  glow  of  hope.  And 
now  to  be  ready  to  part  with  him  without  even  a  word 
of  sorrow !  Why,  a  mere  friend  would  do  more  than 
that. 

They  separated  immediately  after  breakfast,  Hugh 
to  ride  for  the  last  time  a  colt  he  was  breaking  in  for 
Isabel,  Isabel  to  her  work.  Lord  Marlborough's  stew- 
ard, however,  did  not  find  work  come  at  all  easily  this 
morning,  and  after  some  vain  efforts  turned  and  fled* 
from  her  men  to  take  refuge  in  the  Nun's  Walk. 

Isabel,  also,  had  received  a  letter.  It  was  from 
Karl  Brownker  to  say  that,  having  Lady  Marlbor- 
ough's kind  permission,  he  was  coming  down  to  spend 
a  few  days  at  Hollywell  House. 

This  letter,  together  with  something  in  Hugh's  face 
when  he  said  that  he  was  going  away,  made  work  im- 
possible for  Isabel  to-day 

Isabel  had  never  before  seriously  considered  the 
possibility  of  falling  in  love  with  any  one.  Karl 
Brownker  she  had  liked  and  liked  still,  but  he  had 
made  no  impression  upon  her  heart.  Hugh  Montgom- 
ery she  liked  much  better  than  Karl,  and  during  the 
days  when  he  lay  dangerously  ill,  she  had  thought  so 
much  about  him,  and  so  earnestly  hoped  for  his  recov- 
ery, that  more  than  once  she  asked  herself  whether  it 
were  possible  she  might  some  time  care  for  him  more 
than  as  a  friend,  but  without  finding  any  satisfactory 

in 


The  King's  Agent 

answer  to  the  question.  When  he  became  convalescent 
she  told  herself  she  must  be  careful,  and  for  a  little 
while  she  was  careful.  But  this  did  not  last.  Accus- 
tomed to  Karl  Brownker's  way,  which  was  to  be 
pointedly  indifferent  to  every  one  but  herself,  her  sus- 
picions were  disarmed  by  Hugh's  attentions  to  the  chil- 
dren and  his  genuine  enjoyment  of  the  family  life. 
She  had  honestly  believed  it  was  this  which  kept  him 
with  them  after  he  had  recovered  from  his  wounds. 

But  this  morning  her  eyes  had  been  opened  by  the 
look  upon  his  face  and  the  tone  of  his  voice  when  he 
said  that  he  must  go  away.  He  loved  her  after  all; 
he  must  have  loved  her  from  the  first.  What  had  she 
done?  What  did  she  feel  herself? 

The  garden  gate  clicked,  and  Isabel,  rousing  from 
her  thoughts  with  a  most  undignified  start,  turned  to 
see  Hugh  approaching  her.  He  was  pale,  and  avoided 
her  eyes  as  he  came  towards  her;  but  his  lips  were 
resolutely  set,  and  a  sure  instinct  told  Isabel  that  the 
moment  had  arrived  when  she  must  tie  a  knot  or  cut 
her  friendship  with  this  man  to  pieces. 

An  absurd  desire  to  run  away  seized  her,  and  de- 
prived her  of  the  power  of  speech ;  and  Hugh,  who  in 
a  few  stiff  words  had  asked  her  if  she  could  spare  him 
a  few  moments,  received  for  reply  a  curt  nod,  which 
in  the  condition  he  was  in  at  the  moment  chilled  him 
like  iced  water. 

Without  a  word  they  strolled  up  and  down  the 
Nun's  Walk  for  several  minutes.  Hugh  had  prepared 
a  speech  for  the  occasion  full  of  grace  and  eloquence, 
but  so  far  from  being  able  to  deliver  it  he  found  him- 
self attacked  by  a  craven  dread  of  speaking  at  all.  Be- 
fore long,  however,  a  reaction  set  in.  Hope  he  had 
none,  but  though  she  might  scoff,  be  angry,  or  simply 
give  him  a  cold  refusal,  he  must  and  would  know. 

112 


The  King's  Agent 

"Isabel!" 

He  had  never  called  her  by  her  bare  Christian  name 
before,  and  the  sound  of  it  struck  upon  her  thoughts 
like  the  sudden  clang  of  some  deep-toned  bell  upon  the 
ear  on  a  still  night. 

"  Isabel !  "  He  caught  the  breath  that  had  failed 
him  once  and  made  it  do  its  duty  by  main  force.  "  I 
cannot  go  away  without  asking  you  a  question.  I  love 
you.  Can  you — do  you — care  the  least  for  me  ?  " 

Roughly,  jerkily  were  the  words  spoken,  without 
grace  or  even  manners,  as  manners  went  in  those  days ; 
but  they  were  eloquent  enough  to  Isabel  of  the  speak- 
er's meaning.  She  looked  up  at  him  with  a  troubled 
face. 

"  I  do  not  know."  There  was  a  curious  appeal  in 
the  words,  which  if  Hugh  had  been  older  would  have 
warned  him  that  he  was  on  difficult  ground.  As  it  was 
they  raised  him  to  a  pinnacle  of  hope. 

"  But  that  means  you  care,"  he  cried,  "  my " 

"  Stop !  "  she  said  decidedly.  "  I  did  not  say  that. 
I  said  I  did  not  know." 

Hugh  came  to  the  ground  with  a  bump.  "  You 
care  a  little,  and  I  may  hope." 

"  I  do  not  think  you  should.  But  we  are  great 
friends,  are  we  not?"  She  was  speaking  hurriedly 
now,  her  eyes  on  the  ground.  "  Why  should  we  not 
continue — friends  ?  " 

Hugh's  hands  clinched. 

"  Friends !  "  he  said  rudely ;  "  that  is  impossible. 
I  love  you.  If  you  do  not  care,  and  can  never  care,  we 
ought  not  to  meet  again." 

"  But  I  could  not  bear  to  think  we  should  never 
meet  again." 

The  words  were  out  of  her  mouth  almost  before 
she  knew  they  were  on  her  lips.  Hugh's  eyes  flashed. 


The  King's  Agent 

"  That  sounds  different.  I  am  too  hasty ;  forgive 
me.  You  see,  I  have  loved  you  so  from  that  first  day. 
Life  was  so  dark  without  you  that  I  could  not  stay  even 
to  get  my  wounds  healed,  but  must  come  hither  to  see 
whether  you  had  any  thought  of  me ;  and  now  I  have 
to  go  away  again." 

Isabel  frowned  and  shook  her  head. 

"  You  were  foolish  and  wrong.  You  might  have 
killed  yourself." 

He  smiled. 

"  It  would  have  been  your  fault." 

"  Mine !    Oh,  that  is  too  bad." 

She  had  become  angry  all  at  once,  and  his  smile 
vanished. 

"  I  never  said  one  word,"  she  cried,  "  to  lead  you 
to  think  that  I  thought  anything." 

Her  vehemence  puzzled  him. 

"  Indeed,  I  meant  nothing  of  that  nature,"  he  said 
humbly.  "  I  meant  only  that  I  loved  you  so,  and  that 
life  was  of  no  worth  without  you.  Isabel,  my  darling  " 
— he  caught  her  suddenly  by  both  her  hands — "  hear 
me  now.  Since  I  came  we  have  been  every  day  to- 
gether. You  have  been  kind — so  kind — and  I  thought 
happy,  too.  Is  this  a  lie  or  not?  If  it  is  I  will  go 
away  and  never  trouble  you,  though  my  heart  is  break- 
ing. But  if  it  is  not — Isabel,  Isabel,  if  it  is  not " 

He  was  drawing  her  towards  him,  tenderly,  rever- 
ently, yet  with  a  strength  Isabel  could  not  resist. 
What  had  come  to  her  she  knew  not.  She  was  indig- 
nant at  his  precipitation,  startled,  unwilling,  and  yet 
could  not  resist  him.  An  overpowering  weakness 
seized  her.  Only  by  the  greatest  effort  she  managed 
to  say: 

"  Let  me  go ;  do  let  me  go !  " 

It  would  have  been  a  forlorn  hope  with  most  men. 
114 


The  King's  Agent 

But  Hugh,  though  quivering  all  over  with  the  joy  of 
possession,  had  not  lost  his  self-control.  Her  words 
stabbed  him  like  a  knife. 

"  Do  you  mean  that  ?  " 

"Yes!" 

Her  tone  was  firmer.  He  dropped  her  hands,  and 
Isabel  drew  back  with  a  sigh  of  relief. 

"  Thank  you,"  she  said  simply,  "  you  are  good." 

But  Hugh  did  not  look  good  nor  feel  it.  "  I  am 
waiting  to  know,"  he  muttered  between  his  teeth,  "  if, 
after  all,  it  is  a  lie." 

She  gave  a  queer,  helpless  laugh. 

"  No,  it  is  not  a  lie." 

At  this  he  would  have  taken  her  hands  a  second 
time,  but  she  put  them  behind  her. 

"  Not  that ;  you  must  not  do  that  again." 

He  stared  at  her  in  bewilderment. 

"  Yet  you  love  me  ?  " 

"  Not  as  you  love  me." 

He  drew  back  with  a  stiff  bow. 

"  I  must  then  beg  your  pardon." 

She  shook  her  head. 

"  I  should  beg  yours." 

"Isabel!" 

"  No,  I  mean  it.  Oh,  I  can  read  what  is  in  your 
mind.  Either  I  should  bid  you  go  away,  or  yield  whol- 
ly and — and  be  your  wife.  Is  not  that  your  mind  ?  " 

"If  lam  worthy?" 

He  was  humble  again,  for  hope  was  in  his  heart. 

She  nodded  at  him. 

"  You  are  more  than  worthy." 

"  Then,  what  ?    You  would  know  me  better  first  ?  " 

She  smiled  a  quaint  little  smile. 

"  I  think  I  know  you  now." 

He  edged  nearer  to  her. 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Then  nothing  lies  between  us." 

She  stepped  back. 

"  But,  indeed,  there  is  a  great  deal." 

"  I  have  proved  I  love  you,  and  you?  " 

"  I — I  do  not  know."  She  sighed  and  sat  down 
upon  the  log  seat  and  leaned  her  chin  upon  her  hands 
and  stared  at  the  ground. 

"  You  may  not  understand,"  she  went  on,  "  but  the 
life  I  live  has  made  me  different  from  other  women. 
Do  you  understand  ?  " 

She  put  the  question  abruptly,  without  looking  up. 

"  I  do  not  understand." 

Hugh's  voice  was  cool  and  deliberate.  If  Isabel 
had  seen  his  face  she  would  have  known  that  he  was 
making  up  his  mind  with  characteristic  impulsiveness 
to  a  definite  resolution.  But  she  was  not  thinking  of 
him  at  the  moment. 

"  I  did  not  expect  you  would,"  she  rejoined.  "  No 
man  would." 

She  was  silent  a  moment,  and  then  went  on  slowly : 

"  I  do  not  want  to  marry.  I  love  my  work,  and  if 
I  married  I  must  give  it  up.  I  love  my  independence 
even  more,  and  I  conld  not  give  up  my  independence 
to  be  anybody's  wife." 

She  spoke  earnestly,  even  passionately ;  but  it  was 
to  herself  rather  than  to  Hugh,  and  when  he  an- 
swered her  she  started,  being  hardly  conscious  that 
she  had  expressed  her  thought  aloud. 

"  I  understand  now  why  you  do  not  care." 

His  voice  was  steady  and  a  little  hard ;  something 
in  its  tone  made  her  uneasy.  "  I  beg  you  will  forgive 
me,"  he  went  on,  "  for  my  impertinence." 

"  You  have  not  been  impertinent." 

"  You  have  made  me  feel  so,  and  have  so  well 
answered  me  I  have  not  another  word  to  say." 

116 


The  King's  Agent 

He  raised  his  hat  formally,  and  gave  her  a  long, 
steady  look;  then,  before  Isabel  realized  what  he  was 
about,  strode  quickly  away  towards  the  house. 

She  rose  and  watched  him  as  long  as  he  was  in 
sight,  but  he  did  not  turn  his  head  or  pause.  When 
the  garden  gate  closed  behind  him  she  sat  down  again 
upon  the  log.  At  first  her  face  was  very  serious,  but 
gradually  it  brightened.  A  quaint  smile  lurked  about 
the  corners  of  her  lips,  and  when  at  last  she  left  her 
sanctuary  at  the  sound  of  the  dinner-bell  there  was  a 
soft  radiance  in  her  eye,  in  her  cheeks  a  bright,  warm 
colour.  She  walked  slowly  though  she  was  late,  and 
lifted  the  latch  of  the  garden  door  with  unusual  gen- 
tleness as  if  it  were  precious,  closing  it  quietly  behind 
her.  As  a  consequence,  good  Dr.  Burtnup,  who  was 
standing  in  the  walk  with  his  back  to  the  gate,  did  not 
hear  her  approach. 

When  Isabel  saw  him  her  eyes  gleamed  with 
amusement,  for  the  good  man  was  busily  counting 
some  money,  and  chuckling  and  muttering  to  himself. 

"  Five,  ten — a  4ad  of  discernment,  on  my  faith. 
Fifteen,  twenty,  twenty-five — a  gentleman,  bred  to  the 
bone — to  the  bone,  I  say." 

And  then  he  saw  Isabel's  shadow  in  the  grass  and 
started  violently.  Isabel's  face  wore  the  calmness  of 
unconscious  innocence. 

"  I  trust  your  patient  will  be  in  proper  condition 
for  his  ride  to  London." 

The  doctor  frowned.  He  had  stuffed  his  guineas 
into  his  pocket,  and  now  kept  his  hands  there,  stand- 
ing with  his  feet  apart  and  looking  up  sideways  like 
some  bird  about  to  peck. 

"  Madam,  I  pray  there  may  be  no  relapse ;  but  I 
won't  answer  for  it." 

Isabel  stared  at  the  little  man. 
117 


The  King's  Agent 

"  You  have  changed  your  opinion,  then." 

"  That  I  never  do — never — unless,  after  death,  by 
an  examination  of  the  intestines " 

"  What  can  be  your  meaning  ?  You  said  the  ride 
to-morrow  would  be  a  benefit." 

"  To-morrow,  yes ;  to-day,  no.  And  he  has  had  no 
dinner,  madam.  He  refused  his  dinner.  He  called  for 
his  horse  and  mounted,  and  is  gone." 

"  Mr.  Montgomery  gone  ?  " 

Isabel's  face  expressed  such  amazement  that  Dr. 
Burtnup,  who  had  been  very  angry  with  her,  began  to 
hesitate. 

"If  you  did  not  order  him  to  go,  it  is  my  error, 
but  I " 

"  Indeed,  you  are  in  the  greatest  error." 

Isabel  fixed  upon  the  doctor  so  withering  a  glare 
that  a  severe  chill  ran  down  his  back. 

"  And  you,  sir,"  she  went  on  before  he  could  speak, 
"  who  have  boasted  of  the  implicit  obedience  of  your 
patient  for  these  four  weeks  past,  have  allowed  him, 
though  not  fully  recovered  of  his  strength,  to  ride  to 
London  dinnerless.  If  harm  follows  I  fear  your  error 
is  like  to  cost  you  more  than  five-and-twenty  pounds." 

And  with  an  air  that  would  have  done  credit  to  the 
countess  in  her  haughtiest  mood,  Isabel  swept  past  the 
discomfited  doctor  into  the  house. 


118 


CHAPTER   XII 

KARL  BROWNKER  recovered  from  the  ill  effects  of 
the  duel  much  more  quickly  than  Hugh,  but  constant 
attendance  on  the  King  kept  him  so  continuously  oc- 
cupied that  the  coach  drive  to  St.  Albans — for  Brown- 
ker  was  extremely  careful  of  himself — the  day  after 
Hugh  returned  to  London  was  his  first  leisure  time 
and  the  first  opportunity  he  had  to  review  his  private 
affairs. 

Brownker  felt  hopeful  about  Isabel.  He  was  satis- 
fied that  her  attitude  towards  Montgomery  before  the 
duel  had  been  purely  friendly,  and  he  reasoned  that 
though  they  had  been  together  since,  if  it  took  Karl 
Brownker  three  months  to  make  much  impression,  it 
would  take  so  raw  a  youth  as  this  more  than  four 
weeks  to  supplant  him.  Karl,  in  fact,  took  the  ground 
men  of  his  experience  and  condition  usually  take.  Of 
the  many  women  he  had  wooed  before  he  met  Isabel 
only  one  had  rejected  him,  and  she  was  at  this  present 
moment  completely  in  his  power.  He  was  confi- 
dent that,  sooner  or  later,  his  present  campaign  would 
be  as  successful  as  the  others.  The  only  difference  was 
that  no  affair  had  ever  interested  him  so  much.  The 
rivalry  of  Hugh  rather  amused  him  than  otherwise, 
since  he  had  discovered  that  the  Marlboroughs,  in 
spite  of  Hugh's  fortune,  were  not  inclined  to  press  him 
on  Isabel  as  a  suitor.  For  Hugh  himself,  Brownker 
felt  a  genuine  liking.  This  would  not  indeed  prevent 

119 


The  King's  Agent 

him  from  destroying  Hugh's  dearest  hopes  in  any  way 
that  might  prove  necessary,  but  his  proposal  of  friend- 
ship had  been  no  mere  form  of  empty  words. 

In  such  mood  he  arrived  at  St.  Albans,  but  no 
sooner  did  he  see  Isabel  than  that  mood  rapidly 
changed.  He  perceived  at  her  first  greeting  that 
something  was  amiss,  and  all  the  evening  after  his  ar- 
rival, while  they  talked  on  indifferent  subjects  in  the 
presence  of  Marlborough's  cousin,  he  noted  a  score  of 
little  things.  The  result  was  a  restless  night. 

The  next  morning  at  breakfast  he  suggested  a 
walk,  and,  somewhat  to  his  surprise,  his  request  was 
readily  granted.  An  hour  later  they  were  together 
as  of  old  in  the  Nun's  Walk.  Yet  all  was  different 
from  what  it  used  to  be.  The  place  seemed  damp  and 
dark  and  dreary.  The  sky  above  was  overcast,  and  a 
bitter  northwest  wind  was  blowing  beyond  the  trees. 
Everything  looked  withered  and  decayed — every- 
thing but  Isabel.  Dressed  in  her  farmer's  coat  and 
thick  woollen  frock,  she  walked  briskly,  with  cheeks 
flushed — perhaps  by  the  wind,  but  certainly  flushed — 
swinging  her  light  hoe,  her  head  erect,  her  face  full 
of  vigour  and  brightness,  the  picture  of  health  and 
fresh,  rosy  youth.  Neither  the  big  felt  hat,  worn  rather 
rakishly  to-day,  though  quite  by  accident — Isabel's  ac- 
quaintance with  her  mirror  being  an  intermittent  one — 
nor  the  farmer's  coat  could  conceal  the  beauty  of  her 
face  or  the  proportions  of  her  slender  figure.  Brown- 
ker  thought  he  had  never  seen  her  look  more  attract- 
ive; and  as  they  took  a  turn  up  and  down  the 
Walk,  he  drank  in  the  beauty  and  the  freshness  of 
her  as  some  hungry  spider  from  its  hole  looks  upon  a 
fly  sunning  itself  just  without  the  web.  Then  he  set 
to  work. 

"  Montgomery  left  you  very  suddenly,  then,"  he 
1 20 


The  King's  Agent 

said,  mentioning  Hugh's  name  almost  for  the  first 
time.    "  I  am  sorry." 

He  did  not  look  directly  at  Isabel,  but  he  saw  her 
turn  quickly  and  look  at  him. 

"  I  am  not  sorry,"  she  answered,  and  something 
in  her  tone  made  him  bite  his  lips.  "  I  think  it  was 
as  well." 

Brownker  gave  a  quiet  laugh.  His  face  was  per- 
fectly composed,  his  voice  under  control.  The  cam- 
paign had  begun. 

"  You  have  not  then  heard  that  we  are  friends  ?  " 

Isabel  looked  at  him  doubtfully. 

"  I  have  heard  him  say  so." 

"  You  may  believe  Mr.  Montgomery's  word.  I  as- 
sure you  I  never  knew  a  man  more  worthy  of  your 
trust." 

He  spoke  with  conviction,  and  waited  as  if  for  her 
to  assent.  But  she  did  not.  He  slowly  turned  his 
head  and  looked  into  her  face. 

"  I  repeat  to  you,  Isabel,  this  man  is  worthy.  Do 
you  doubt  him  ?  " 

"  I  never  thought  of  doubting  him !  " 

The  words  were  spoken  coldly,  almost  impatiently. 

For  the  second  time  Brownker  bit  his  lip,  and  this 
time  he  made  it  bleed ;  but  there  was  no  change  in  his 
voice  or  manner. 

"  I  am  glad,"  he  said.  "  I  feared  I  might  have 
prejudiced  your  mind  against  him  a  month  ago." 

He  was  looking  at  her  intently,  but  she  did  not  no- 
tice it,  for  when  she  looked  back  his  eyes  were  turned 
away. 

"  You  could  not  do  that,"  Isabel  replied  in  a  curi- 
ously quiet  tone.  "  I  knew  Mr.  Montgomery  before 
you  spoke  of  him,  and  I  have  known  him  much  better 
since,  Karl." 

121 


The  King's  Agent 

The  word  came  like  an  exclamation,  for  she  stopped 
in  her  walk. 

"  Karl,  do  you  remember  what  we  said  when  we 
were  last  together  here  ?  " 

"  I  remember  all  we  said." 

"  I  told  you  that  you  were  my  friend,  and  you  said 
you  could  not  be  my  friend." 

Her  face  was  scarlet  now,  but  full  of  determina- 
tion. She  spoke  fast  and  earnestly. 

"  And  then  I  replied  to  you  that  I " 

"  Would  put  me  to  the  test." 

"  I  did  not  mean  that." 

"  But  I  mean  it.    I  stood  the  test." 

He  spoke  firmly,  though  with  a  smile.  Isabel's 
face  grew  pained  and  sorrowful. 

"  You  did,  Karl,  nobly,"  she  said  in  a  low  voice. 

She  had  turned  away,  and  did  not  see  an  ugly 
gleam  which,  shooting  through  his  eyes  like  a  flash  of 
electricity,  left  them  dull  and  dead. 

"  If  you  can  say  as  much,"  he  said  very  softly,  "  I 
am  rewarded  to  the  full." 

"  I  say  more,"  she  cried,  lifting  her  head.  "  Your 
magnanimity  has  made  me  feel  that  I  am  unjust  in 
what  I  said.  Indeed,  I  should  have  written  to  ask  your 
pardon  but  that  I  knew  we  should  meet  soon.  I  ask 
your  pardon  now  for  saying  that  you  were  merciless." 

"  Pardon,  Isabel  ?  Nay,  it  is  I  who  should  ask 
pardon." 

She  looked  at  him  in  genuine  surprise. 

"  I  do  not  understand  in  the  least." 

He  took  her  hand.  At  this  movement  she  shrank 
back,  but  he  would  not  let  her  go. 

"  Nay,  I  am  your  friend,"  he  said,  grasping  her 
fingers  so  tightly  that  he  hurt  her.  "  That  privilege 
you  gave  me,  and  I  will  not  yield  it  up.  As  a  friend, 

122 


The  King's  Agent 

then,  I  ask  pardon  for  slighting  Hugh  Montgomery, 
and  wish  you  both  God-speed  and  happiness." 

He  spoke  slowly  and  distinctly,  the  grip  upon  her 
fingers  tightening  with  every  word  until  she  could 
have  cried  out  with  the  pain,  if  his  last  words  had  not 
made  her  unconscious  of  any  pain. 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

She  was  pale,  angry,  and  her  eyes  met  his  unflinch- 
ingly. But  his  face  did  not  change  a  muscle. 

"  As  the  wife  of  Hugh  Montgomery  you  will  be 
very  happy." 

"  You  have  been  strangely  misinformed." 

She  spoke  quite  coolly,  even  contemptuously,  but 
her  face  crimsoned,  nevertheless.  He  very  slightly 
shook  his  head  and  released  her  hand. 

"  I  have  my  evidence  first-hand." 

"  He  told  you !  "  Isabel's  eyes  flashed  fire.  "  He 
dared  to  tell  you  this  ?  " 

Brownker  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  Do  not,  I  pray  you,  ask  me  to  betray  my 
friend." 

"It  is  a  lie!" 

"  Nay,  call  it  a  mistake  of  mine,"  he  said  smoothly. 
"  But  I  crave  pardon.  It  is  no  mistake.  Your  face 
belies  your  words." 

His  voice  was  as  soft  and  insinuating  as  the  cooing 
of  a  ring-dove.  But  Isabel  was  in  no  mood  for  such 
treatment.  Her  face  was  white  as  marble  and  as  hard. 
Her  eyes  shone  like  cold  steel.  She  dug  her  hoe  into 
the  ground,  and  pulled  it  out  and  held  it  in  both  hands, 
her  head  thrown  back,  her  attitude  that  of  defiance  and 
determination. 

"  If  you  disbelieve  my  word  you  are  no  friend  of 
mine.  I  have  never  given  Mr.  Montgomery  the  least 
right  to  say  that  I  would  be  his  wife.  He  asked  me,  I 
9  123 


The  King's  Agent 

refused.    That  is  the  true  account  of  it.    If  he  has  told 
you " 

"  I  have  not  seen  him."  Brownker  spoke  sharply 
and  decidedly. 

Isabel  looked  at  him  in  dumb  amazement. 

"  But  you  said,  I  know  you  said — "  she  began 
brokenly. 

"  I  said  that  I  had  my  evidence  first-hand,  true ;  but 
I  have  not  seen  Montgomery.  If  he  has  told  any  one — 
he  may  have  done — he  has  not  told  me.  Nay  " — as  Is- 
abel was  about  to  speak  again — "  I  pray  you,  no  ques- 
tions. I  will  answer  none,  for  what  I  was  told  was  true." 

Isabel  gave  a  despairing  laugh. 

"  Indeed,  this  is  a  pretty  jest.  I  am  to  marry  a 
man  I  have  refused  to  marry  because  somebody  un- 
known has  said  that  I  am  going  to  marry  him.  My 
faith,  if  the  poor  man  had  any  hope  in  his  mind  when 
he  left  me,  which  as  he  left  me  it  is  evident  he  had  not, 
that  hope  will  like  have  gone  now,  so " 

"  No,  it  will  not  go."  Brownker  spoke  abruptly, 
sternly.  "  He  will  hold  as  close  as  any  leech.  If  my 
congratulations  seem  out  of  place  it  is  only  because 
they  are  a  little  premature.  This  is  a  lovers'  quarrel." 
He  sighed,  and  went  on  hurriedly :  "  Forgive  me,  I 
am  not  myself.  But  my  friend's  victory  is  my  defeat. 
He  has  conquered,  and  will  conquer,  and  I  must  go. 
Ah,  well!  so  much  for  the  good  word  of  the  Earl  of 
Marlborough." 

He  turned  as  if  to  leave  her,  but  under  his  eyelids 
he  watched  the  effect  of  his  words  like  some  gunner 
who  has  fired  a  shot  at  long  range. 

"  Wait !  "  Isabel  said  sharply.  "  You  have  seen  the 
earl  about  me  ?  " 

"  Without  his  leave,"  Brownker  answered,  sigh- 
ing, "  do  you  think  I  could  come  here  ?  " 

124 


The   King's  Agent 

"And  the  earl  said— what?" 

Brownker  considered.  He  had  to  decide  what  it 
was  likely  that  Marlborough  would  say. 

"  He  would  press  no  choice  on  you,"  he  said  at  last, 
"  but  did  not  think  you  would  marry  any  man  without 
consent  from  him." 

Isabel's  face  softened. 

"  Indeed,  that  is  my  lord  in  every  word.  And  he 
is  right.  He  has  been,  with  her  ladyship,  the  best 
friend  that  I  have  known ;  the  kindest  master,  the 
wisest  counsellor.  No,  I  would  marry  no  man  in  the 
world  of  whom  they  disapproved." 

Brownker's  face  sensibly  brightened. 

"  A  wise  and  most  proper  resolution.  Then," 
thoughtfully,  "  Mr.  Montgomery  had  better  pay  his 
suit  to  Marlborough." 

"  Neither  Mr.  Montgomery  nor  any  other  will  have 
a  prospect  of  success  if  Lord  Marlborough  be  not  won. 
But,  Karl,  this  is  all  most  foolish  and  absurd.  Mr. 
Montgomery,  I  tell  you,  has  gone  away.  He  is  not 
likely  to  return.  Let  us  change  the  subject.  I  pray 
you,  change  the  subject  now." 

"  With  all  alacrity.  But  tell  me :  if  Montgomery 
or  another  were  to  win  such  favour  from  Lord  Marl- 
borough  that  he  should  beseech  you  to  consider  such 
a  suit  as  worthy,  I  understand  you  would  not  spurn 
the  suit  ?  " 

Isabel  looked  at  him  keenly. 

"  You  are  very  curious  about  this.  I  am  not  going 
to  marry  any  one." 

"  Unless  my  lord  commands." 

"  He  would  not  do  that." 

"  But  if  he  did,  should  you  defy  and  disobey  him, 
and  refuse  Montgomery?" 

Isabel  dropped  her  eyes. 
125 


The  King's  Agent 

"  There  is  nothing,  even  though  it  concerned  my 
happiness,  I  could  refuse  Lord  Marlborough." 

Brownker  raised  his  head  with  a  long,  deep  breath. 

"  It  grows  damp  and  very  chill,"  he  said ;  "  let  us 
go  in." 


126 


CHAPTER   XIII 

KARL  BROWNKER  remained  three  days  at  Holly- 
well.  When  he  took  leave  he  declared  himself  great- 
ly refreshed  by  his  visit,  and  he  looked  it.  He 
had  eaten  well  and  slept  well  after  the  first  night,  and 
was  apparently  in  the  best  of  humours.  Isabel  en- 
joyed the  visit  more  than  she  had  expected.  Karl  was 
livelier  and  wittier  than  usual ;  a  most  delightful  com- 
panion. Not  once  did  he  attempt  to  overstep  the 
bounds  of  friendship,  or  again  allude  to  Hugh  Mont- 
gomery or  any  other  equivocal  subject. 

Isabel  herself  was  very  kind  to  Brownker,  with 
the  kindness  a  woman  shows  towards  the  man  who  was 
once  her  dearest  friend,  but  who  through  uncontrol- 
lable circumstances  has  forever  lost  that  place. 

Karl  felt  this,  and  if  the  many  women  he  had  de- 
serted could  have  known  what  the  knowledge  cost  him 
they  would  have  rejoiced.  But  for  that  very  reason 
it  hardened  his  resolution  as  the  blows  of  a  hammer 
harden  iron.  Before  this  time  the  pursuit  of  Isabel 
had  been  the  occupation  of  his  leisure  hours,  absorb- 
ing enough  then  in  all  conscience,  but  always  set  aside 
when  he  entered  his  office  or  the  presence  of  the  King. 
From  this  day  forth,  until  the  end  came,  it  was  the 
chief  thought  and  purpose  of  his  life. 

Karl  reached  his  house  in  St.  James's  late  in  the 
afternoon,  and,  taking  a  hasty  meal,  set  to  work  to 
clear  up  the  arrears  of  correspondence  and  other  mat- 

127 


The  King's  Agent 

ters  which  had  accumulated  in  his  absence.  It  was  a 
large  house  in  a  fashionable  street  and  full  of  people, 
yet  Brownker  was  a  bachelor.  Who  the  other  inhabi- 
tants were,  it  is,  perhaps,  not  well  to  inquire  too 
closely.  All  of  them,  men  and  women,  had  nearly 
as  many  different  ways  of  dressing  and  disguising 
themselves  as  there  are  days  in  the  year,  and  every 
one  of  them,  old  or  young,  obeyed  Karl  Brownker's 
nod. 

Hour  after  hour  Brownker  worked.  One  after  an- 
other his  intelligencers  slipped  into  the  room  where 
two  clerks  sat  writing  for  dear  life,  made  their  reports, 
received  instructions,  bowed,  and  retired.  Brownker 
loved  his  work,  and  gave  himself  to  it  heart  and  soul. 
In  his  papers,  which  no  one  saw  but  his  master,  were 
the  secrets  of  the  greatest  families  in  England.  Be- 
tween dusk  and  dawn  of  every  night  in  the  year  came 
informers  and  intelligencers  with  wares  of  every  de- 
scription, from  the  man  of  quality  bursting  with  an 
important  political  plot,  to  the  kitchen-wench  dis- 
charged from  her  place,  and  eager  to  take  revenge 
upon  her  mistress  by  disclosing  some  disgraceful  fam- 
ily secret. 

Only  the  more  important  informations  were  dealt 
with  by  Brownker  in  person.  For  the  smaller  matters 
he  had  a  staff  of  men  specially  trained  by  himself.  His 
house  was  known  everywhere.  No  one  with  genuine 
intelligence  to  give  of  the  King's  enemies  left  there 
unrewarded.  But  woe  to  the  unlucky  wight  who 
thought  to  make  capital  out  of  false  information. 
Sooner  or  later  Brownker  always  found  him  out,  upon 
which  condign  punishment  followed,  not  the  less  pain- 
ful and  severe  because  it  was  usually  inflicted  without 
the  knowledge  or  assistance  of  the  law. 

The  work  went  on  until  Brownker's  clerks  were 
128 


The  King's  Agent 

fainting  with  fatigue  and  want  of  food,  and  even 
Brownker  himself  was  weary.  At  last  he  touched  a 
bell,  and  presently  a  servant  entered  to  announce  that 
supper  was  in  readiness.  Brownker  turned  to  his 
clerks. 

"  You  will  sleep  here  to-night,"  he  said.  "  There 
is  a  raging  storm  outside." 

The  clerks,  who  lived  in  the  poorer  quarters  of  the 
town,  and  like  most  of  their  class  dreaded  a  wetting 
above  all  things,  were  extremely  grateful.  Brownker 
received  their  thanks  with  a  gracious  smile. 

"  To-morrow,"  he  said,  "  we  will  resume  at  seven 
of  the  clock  precisely,  and  continue  without  pause  until 
your  work  is  done." 

When  alone  in  his  private  rooms,  Brownker  piled 
up  his  plate  with  food,  and  then  drew  a  letter  from  his 
pocket  and  read  it  slowly  while  he  munched.  It  was 
a  letter  from  Robert  Young. 

"  The  impudence  of  this  knave,"  Brownker  said 
to  himself,  "  is  beyond  belief.  Surely  there  never  lived 
such  a  genius  in  roguery.  But  I  must  pay  him  first !  " 

He  read  the  letter  twice,  and  then,  leaving  his  sup- 
per half  eaten,  began  to  walk  slowly  up  and  down  the 
room  in  deep  thought.  After  a  short  interval  he  would 
recollect  that  he  was  hungry,  and  sit  down  and  eat. 
But  he  soon  forgot  his  food  again  and  fell  into  the 
abstraction  of  a  man  whose  brain  is  working  like  the 
hands  of  a  clever  craftsman — creating,  preparing,  carv- 
ing into  shape  some  complete  plan  and  scheme  of 
action. 

He  rang  his  bell  at  last,  and  signed  to  the  servant 
to  clear  the  table. 

"  Chinnic,"  he  said  to  the  man,  "  you  first  brought 
me  Robert  Young.  Read  this."  And  he  tossed  the 
man  the  letter. 

129 


The  King's  Agent 

Chinnic  was  a  slight,  tall,  thin-faced  valet,  who 
had  been  so  many  years  with  Brownker  that  he  had 
grown  a  good  deal  like  him.  The  similarity  between 
them  was  strengthened  by  the  fact  that  the  valet  wore 
his  master's  cast-off  clothes. 

Chinnic  perused  the  note  with  a  wooden  face,  and 
nodded. 

"  He  will  be  here,  sir." 

"  You  take  your  oath  ?  " 

"  I  know  him." 

Brownker  frowned. 

"Ah!  so  you  said  before.  Yet,  but  for  a  chance, 
he  would  have  done  mischief  at  St.  Albans  that  could 
not  be  repaired." 

The  man  shrugged  his  shoulders  exactly  like  his 
master. 

"  I  said  I  knew  Young,  sir.  I  did  not  say  I  knew 
the  Mistress  Isabel." 

Brownker  did  not  answer.  His  brows  were  knit 
in  thought. 

"  Has  he  the  skill  in  forging  handwriting  that  he 
pretends  to  ?  " 

"  None  like  him  ever  lived  for  that,  sir." 

Again  Brownker  thought,  while  his  servant  stood 
and  waited. 

"  Then,  my  good  Chinnic,  we  will  try  again.  But 
this  time  your  person  shall  be  hostage  for  his  good 
behaviour." 

The  man  smiled  sardonically. 

"  If  he  outwits  your  honour  and  me,  I  will  stand  to 
any  consequence  you  name." 

"  Then  bring  him  here  at  six  of  the  clock  to-mor- 
row morning,  and  call  me  half  an  hour  before." 

The  man  bowed  and  moved  slowly  to  the  door. 

"  Stay ! "  Brownker  said,  and  the  man  stopped. 
130 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Is  it  true  that  the  knave  has  letters  such  as  he  pre- 
tends?" 

"  Ay — but  they  are  all  counterfeits." 

"  Worth  nothing." 

"  Your  honour's  pardon.  Not  the  Lords  of  Marl- 
borough  and  Salisbury  themselves  could  say  the  wri- 
ting was  not  theirs.  It  has  been  tried." 

"  Hum !  "  Brownker  stroked  his  chin.  "  If  that  be 
true,  let  him  not  be  late." 

He  undressed  quickly,  and  was  asleep  almost  as 
soon  as  his  head  touched  the  pillow.  As  he  drowsed 
off  he  muttered : 

"  My  Lord  of  Marlborough,  you  shall  have  one 
more  opportunity  which  this  man  shall  provide — an 
invaluable  rogue." 

Chinnic  was  punctual  to  the  minute  the  next  morn- 
ing, and  Brownker  rose  briskly. 

The  bed-chamber  opened  out  of  the  sitting-room, 
and  as  Karl  put  the  last  touches  to  his  toilet  he  heard 
the  sound  of  steps  outside  his  door  and  the  whisper 
of  voices.  A  moment  later  Chinnic  entered  to  find  his 
master  handling  his  rapier. 

"  Bring  me  the  oil-stone,"  Brownker  said  without 
looking  round,  "  and  then  remove  all  things  from  here 
which  might  be  spoiled." 

Chinnic  brought  the  required  articles,  and  Brown- 
ker, turning  up  his  sleeves,  sharpened  the  point  of  his 
rapier  until  it  was  as  keen  as  a  stiletto.  Meanwhile 
the  active  valet  had  swept  all  the  ornaments  and  small 
pieces  of  furniture  into  an  inner  room. 

Brownker  nodded  approval. 

"  You  will  send  him  in,  and,  locking  the  door, 
stand  behind  it  until  I  give  you  word." 

Chinnic's  face  relaxed  into  a  gentle,  happy  smile. 

"  He  will  ask  a  hundred  pounds,  sir,  before  he 


The  King's  Agent 

•will  render  up  the  association  he  says  he  has  discov- 
ered." 

"  In  ten  minutes,"  Brownker  rejoined,  carelessly 
feeling  the  point  of  his  rapier,  "  he  will  render  up 
the  universe  if  I  require  it,  and  pay  me  a  hundred 
pounds.  Go !  " 

The  servant  slipped  out,  while  his  master,  locking 
the  door  of  the  inner  room  and  dropping  the  key  in  his 
pocket,  quietly  sat  down  upon  his  bed,  the  rapier  lying 
concealed  in  the  folds  of  the  quilt  beside  him. 

He  had  barely  time  to  do  this  before  Mr.  Robert 
Young  made  his  appearance,  saluting  his  host  with  a 
bow  and  a  patronizing  wave  of  the  hand. 

"  A  greeting,  sir.  Faith,  but  this  honour  toucheth 
my  heart " — looking  slowly  round  the  room.  Then 
he  paused  and  coughed,  having  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  steel  upon  the  bed — "  but  I  was  sure,  to  a 
plumb,  that  my  past  services  and  the  facilities  I  could 
offer  for  the  discovery  of  great  matters  would  blot 
out  and  obliterate  from  your  generous  mind  any  re- 
membrance of — ahem ! — slight  indiscretions.  The 
flesh,  good  Master  Brownker,  even  with  the  agents  of 
the  King  such  as  ourselves,  is  frail — is  frail !  " 

He  gave  a  low,  impudent  laugh,  and  rubbed  his 
great  hands.  Still  in  clergyman's  dress,  his  favourite 
disguise,  with  a  clean,  irreproachable  white  band  over 
his  rusty  black,  Mr.  Robert  Young  was,  nevertheless, 
a  gruesome  object.  His  figure  was  lank  and  awkward. 
He  had  sloping  shoulders  and  a  very  long  neck,  which, 
when  taken  with  his  bright,  ever-shifting,  beady  eyes, 
an  immense  hooked  nose,  huge  hands,  and  swarthy 
complexion,  gave  him  a  strange  resemblance  to  a 
human  vulture.  The  other  features  of  his  face  were 
coarse  and  large,  and  his  lips  full,  pendulous,  and 
moist. 

132 


The  King's  Agent 

His  movements,  partly  through  nervousness,  part- 
ly through  a  constitutional  irritability  of  tempera- 
ment, were  extremely  restless,  and  added  much  to  his 
likeness  to  a  bird  of  prey. 

All  the  time  the  man  was  speaking  Brownker 
watched  him  in  silence,  neither  by  word  nor  gesture 
acknowledging  his  greeting.  Karl's  face  was  dark  and 
impenetrable;  his  eyes  fixed,  dull,  and  expressionless 
as  a  snake's. 

"  And  now,  most  gracious  sir,"  Mr.  Young  con- 
cluded sharply,  "  I  await  commands." 

His  voice  shook  in  spite  of  himself.  The  stony 
gaze  of  the  man,  who,  truth  to  tell,  he  feared  more 
than  any  other,  the  suspicious  bareness  of  the  room, 
and  that  glitter  of  cold  steel  on  the  bed  began  to  affect 
his  nerves  very  painfully,  and  dried  up  the  stream  of 
his  eloquence. 

Yet  for  fully  another  minute  Mr.  Brownker  neither 
spoke  nor  moved.  Then  slowly,  stealthily,  he  raised 
the  rapier-point. 

"  You  are  welcome,"  he  said  gravely.  "  The 
juncture  is  most  critical,  and  the  time  a  very  jealous 
one." 

While  speaking  he  rose,  inch  by  inch  as  it  were, 
from  the  bed,  like  a  waking  cobra  loosening  its  coils. 
The  rapier  was  now  clearly  pointed  in  Mr.  Robert 
Young's  direction. 

Young  laughed  aloud  and  his  manner  changed. 
The  restlessness  and  uneasy  movement  of  hands  and 
fingers  ceased.  He  saw  the  danger  that  was  com- 
ing to  him,  and  bracing  himself  to  meet  it,  he  stood 
still  and  rigid,  as  watchful  and  as  dangerous  as  his 
host. 

"  Jealous  and  critical  indeed,  i'  faith,"  he  said. 
"  But  his  Majesty  possessing  subjects  such  as  me,  who 

133 


The  King's  Agent 

have,  I  do  assure  you  on  my  honour,  found  out  a 
nest " 

"  His  Majesty,  sir,  in  my  poor  person,  thanks  you. 
But,  as  it  happens,  he  has  found  out  you.  Still  now, 
or  I  slit  you  ear  to  ear." 

He  stepped  quickly  forward,  and  with  the  point  of 
his  rapier  pricked  Young  in  the  cheek.  The  man 
quivered  all  over  and  made  a  slight  convulsive  move- 
ment with  his  fingers,  but  it  was  not  from  fear.  His 
face  was  horrible  to  look  at,  such  ferocity  and  rage 
were  in  it.  His  eyes  were  as  green  as  a  tiger's;  his 
nostrils  widely  distended,  his  lips  parted  in  a  grin  which 
showed  every  tooth  to  the  gum.  Yet  he  kept  still, 
while  the  blood  from  the  cut  inflicted  by  the  foil 
trickled  down  his  cheek  and  stained  the  white  bands 
below.  Another  movement  of  Mr.  Brownker's  wrist 
and  the  lobe  of  the  left  ear  was  pierced  and  slit  to 
ribbons.  At  this  the  man  gnashed  his  teeth,  jerked 
back  his  head,  and  tried  to  grapple  with  his  enemy; 
but  quick  as  thought  Brownker  slipped  aside  and  stood 
on  guard.  To  close  with  him  now  would  have  been 
to  run  upon  a  sword-point.  Young  saw  this,  and, 
turning  swiftly,  seized  the  handle  of  the  door  and 
shook  it  violently.  But  the  lock  would  not  yield,  and, 
receiving  a  wound  from  Brownker's  rapier  in  the  other 
ear  from  behind,  he  turned  again,  and,  reckless  in  his 
pain,  charged  full  at  his  tormentor.  He  might  as 
well  have  tried  to  catch  an  eel.  His  hands  only  closed 
on  steel  which  cut  him  severely  and  then  slipped  from 
their  grasp.  If  he  came  nearer,  the  deadly  point 
gleamed  in  his  eyes,  or  touched  his  throat  ominously. 
After  several  vain  attempts  he  fell  groaning  on  the 
bed,  his  hands,  face,  and  neck  covered  with  smarting 
wounds.  His  spirit  of  resistance  seemed  broken  now. 
He  crouched  on  the  bed,  breathing  heavily. 

134 


The  King's  Agent 

"  What  have  I  done  ?  "  he  whined.  "  I  served  you 
faithfully ;  secured  information  above  price,  and  offer 
more,  and  my  reward  is  torture." 

"  The  punishment  a  brute  beast  deserves." 

"  Deserves !  "  he  whimpered.  "  Why,  my  master, 
my  dear,  gracious  sir,  what  have  I  done  to  deserve 
anything  but  thanks  ?  " 

He  rose  from  the  bed,  and  staggered  a  step  or  two 
towards  Brownker  with  outstretched  hands  and  an 
expression  of  helpless  bewilderment. 

Brownker  eyed  him  with  a  curling  lip. 

"  Lie  to  me  and  I  will  flay  you.  All  this,  as  you 
know,  is  for  your  attempted  outrage  on  the  Mistress 
Isabel  Fretchville.  I  swore  to  have  your  blood  drop 
by  drop,  and  now  I  am  keeping  my  oath." 

The  man  drew  himself  stiffly  together,  and  pointed 
a  raised  hand  to  heaven. 

"  May  the  Lord  destroy  my  soul  for  ever  if  such 
purpose  ever  came  into  my  mind.  May  I  rot  in " 

Brownker  stamped  his  foot,  and  made  a  pass  with 
the  rapier  that  caused  the  wretched  creature  to  spring 
backward. 

"  Another  lie  and  I  will  cut  your  tongue  out !  I  say 
I  swore  to  bleed  you  as  they  bleed  calves — to  death. 
But  I  am  inclined  to  show  mercy  now,  if  you  make  it 
worth  my  while." 

"  I  will  swear,"  the  man  cried,  "  before  my 
Maker " 

"  And  before  the  House  of  Lords " 

Brownker  spoke  very  quietly,  but  for  the  first 
time  he  lowered  his  rapier. 

"  Before  the  King  himself ! "  Young  said  sol- 
emnly. 

"  What  do  you  know,  then  ?  " 

"  That  there  is  a  damnable  plot  against  the  life  of 
135 


The  King's  Agent 

her  Majesty  the  Queen,  concerted  by  the  Earl  of  Marl- 
borough  and  others." 

"  I  shall  want  proof." 

"  I  can  procure  perfect  proof." 

"  Before  you  leave  this  room." 

The  man  fumbled  in  his  pockets,  and  pulled  out  a 
large  piece  of  folded  paper. 

"  There  is  a  true  copy  of  an  association  signed  by 
the  earl's  own  hand,  my  Lord  the  Bishop  of  Rochester, 
my  Lord  of  Salisbury." 

Brownker  took  the  paper,  and  began  to  read.  The 
man  watched  him  with  hungry  eyes.  He  had  taken 
out  a  handkerchief  and  was  stanching  the  wounds, 
which,  now  that  Brownker  was  preoccupied,  it  was  evi- 
dent did  not  trouble  him  so  much  as  he  had  pretended. 
Brownker  read  the  document  through  to  the  end,  then 
shook  his  head. 

"  How  can  such  a  paper  profit  me  ?  " 

"  Did  the  Earl  of  Marlborough  know  your  honour 
knew  of  it,  he  would  be  as  humble  a  servant  of  your 
honour's  as  myself." 

"  And  what  if  the  original  of  this  is  a  counter- 
feit—what then  ?  " 

"  What !  a  counterfeit  ?    Why,  I  can  swear " 

"  Silence !  "  He  advanced  his  rapier  again,  and  the 
man  started  back  to  the  wall.  "  Once  for  all,"  Brown- 
ker said  slowly,  "  I  know  you,  Robert  Young.  Listen 
to  me.  I  will  put  your  precious  paper  to  the  test — 
and  you.  But  if  either  plays  me  false  not  all  the  devils 
from  the  pit  shall  keep  you  from  my  punishment — and 
my  punishments  are  rare." 

He  cut  the  man  again  across  the  back  of  the  hand, 
and  Young's  teeth  closed  with  a  hiss. 

"  I  say,  listen,"  Brownker  continued.  "  You  will 
write  a  note  to  the  person  who  has  the  original  of  this 

136 


The  King's  Agent 

paper — to  bring  it  hither.  When  it  is  in  my  hand  I 
will  release  you,  and  pay  you  twenty  pounds ;  this,  on 
condition  that  the  instant  I  require  to  see  you,  you 
come  at  my  bidding." 

He  lowered  the  point  of  his  rapier  as  he  spoke  and 
leant  upon  it  with  both  hands. 

Young  sighed.  He  felt  safe  at  last.  Up  to  this  mo- 
ment he  had  not  been  sure  that  Brownker  was  not 
playing  with  him. 

"  I  am  at  your  honour's  full  commands.  But,  in- 
deed, it  is  impossible  for  any  one  to  get  that  paper  but 
myself.  It  lies  at  this  instant  in  a  flower-pot  in  my 
Lord  Bishop  of  Rochester's  house,  at  Bromley.  Re- 
lease me  now,  and  it  shall  be  in  your  hands  by  ten 
o'clock  to-night." 

"Here?" 

The  man  coughed. 

"  Ahem !  To  tell  truth — and  I  dare  not  tell  less 
to  your  honour — I  am  too  well  known  in  these  parts. 
If  your  honour  could  meet  me  eastwards  in  the  city  ?  " 
His  voice  became  soft  and  purring,  and  he  rubbed  his 
hands.  "  I  am  so  afraid  a  messenger  might  take  me  on 
a  warrant  and  search  me,  and  then  'twould  all  be  blown 
upon  and  the  secret  known  to  all." 

While  Young  spoke  Brownker  observed  him 
with  an  expression  that  had  something  of  approval 
in  it. 

"  I  see  you  are  careful  in  your  work.  Yet  I  should 
be  rash  to  part  with  you  did  I  not  know  every  haunt 
and  hole  that  you  ever  crawl  to.  Where  shall  we 
meet  ?  " 

"  The  '  Black  Bull,'  your  honour,  off  Cheapside. 
'Tis  a  convenient  house." 

"  A  damned,  low,  ruffianly  house." 

Young  coughed  again — deprecatingly. 
137 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Indeed,  it  is  something  rude ;  and  if  your  honour 
is  afraid  to  venture  to  the  place " 

"  All  places  are  the  same  to  me,"  was  the  careless 
reply.  "  I  know  the  '  Black  Bull.'  At  ten  to-night." 
He  knocked  at  the  door  and  Chinnic  opened  it.  "  At 
ten  to-night,  Chinnic,"  he  repeated,  "  I  meet  your 
honest  friend  at  the  '  Black  Bull,'  off  Cheapside.  I 
trust,  Mr.  Young,  you  have  no  trick  in  view."  He 
spoke  with  a  gentle,  winning  courtesy. 

Young  looked  genuinely  astonished. 

"  I  have  not  seen  a  man  in  all  my  life  so  bold  as  to 
play  one  on  your  honour." 

"  Some  have  tried." 

"  I  do  not  know  any  one,  upon  my  word,"  and 
he  purred  humbly  with  downcast  eyes. 

"  That  is  possible,  for  they  are  all  dead." 

The  man  shuddered,  or  pretended  to  shudder. 

"  Has  your  honour  done  ?  " 

Brownker  nodded,  and  in  an  instant  Mr.  Robert 
Young  had  vanished,  and  could  be  heard  swiftly  de- 
scending the  stairs. 

Chinnic  looked  at  the  door  and  then  at  his  master. 

"  Sir — your  pardon.  But  do  you  venture  alone  to 
that  thieves'  haunt  ?  " 

Brownker  thrust  his  rapier  in  its  sheath. 

"  I  do  propose,  certainly,  to  renew  acquaintance 
with  Mr.  Young  alone  at  ten  of  the  clock  to-night. 
About  your  business,  Chinnic." 


138 


CHAPTER   XIV 

AT  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day  of 
Karl  Brownker's  interview  with  Mr.  Robert  Young, 
two  gentlemen  were  discussing  a  bottle  of  wine  in  a 
private  room  at  the  St.  James's  Club.  It  was  a  meet- 
ing by  appointment  made  by  the  Earl  of  Tottenham 
with  Marlborough. 

"  Faith,  Jack,"  his  lordship  was  saying,  "  the  fact 
is,  the  boy  is  harder  to  hold  than  an  unbroke  colt.  And 
I  sympathize,  by  Gad,  I  do!  When  I  was  young, 
whether  it  was  on  business  of  my  own  or  a  matter  of 
the  state,  I  never  could  abide  suspense." 

He  tossed  off  a  bumper  of  wine,  and  smacked  his 
lips  while  Marlborough  raised  his  glass  and  sipped 
a  thimbleful. 

"  If  all  men  were  like  you,  Ned,  how  fast  the  world 
would  go !  But  there  are  so  few  like  you."  » 

"  Humph !  "  grunted  the  other,  "  a  polite  Jack 
Marlborough  way  of  telling  me  to  wait  and  be  damned. 
But  see  here,  friend  " — Lord  Tottenham  brought  his 
hand  down  upon  the  table  with  a  sounding  thwack 
— "  I  cannot  wait,  nor  can  my  boy,  without  a  reason." 

"  There  are  many  reasons,"  Marlborough  began. 

"  Oh,  I  doubt  it  not,  my  lord,"  the  other  interposed 
with  extreme  dryness.  "A  round  dozen — nay,  a 
score,  if  I  chose  to  listen  to  them.  I  know  you — I 
know  you.  A  question  in  your  hand  is  twisted  this 
way  and  turned  that,  until  by  the  time  you  let  it  go, 
10  139 


The  King's  Agent 

Hey,  presto !  it  has  become  quite  another  question. 
Now  my  question  shall  not  be  treated  so.  I  shall  want 
a  reason  that  will  stand.  Gad's  life!  Jack,  is  there  a 
squire's  daughter  in  the  land  who  should  be  allowed 
to  snap  her  fingers  at  ten  thousand  a  year  ?  " 

"  She  has,  then,  snapped  her  fingers  ?  " 

"  Pshaw !  I  believe  she'd  drop  into  his  arms  if 
you  were  to  nod  your  head." 

"  My  head  might  be  in  danger,  Ned."  Marlbor- 
ough  had  taken  up  his  glass  again,  but  he  laid  it  down 
without  touching  it.  Lord  Tottenham's  face  fell,  and 
then  his  brows  contracted. 

"  The  truth  is,  my  lord,  you  have  a  preference  for 
another  man." 

"  There  is  another  man." 

"  And  that — Karl  Brownker.  'Fore  Gad,  when  the 
Earl  of  Marlborough  can  slight  the  ward  of  his  oldest 
friend  to  pander  to  a  damned  Dutch  mongrel,  the 
times  are  in  a  sad  confusion." 

Marlborough  drummed  a  devil's  tattoo  on  the  table 
with  the  fingers  of  his  right  hand  with  an  unchanging 
face. 

"  Confusion — yes.  In  all  my  life,  and  I  have  had 
my  share  of  life,  I  have  never  known  such  confusion 
as  at  the  present  time.  But  you  mistake  me,  Ned." 

He  rose  from  the  table.  His  eyes  were  shining 
now,  and  his  voice  was  deep  and  impressive. 

"  Before  I  would  let  this  King's  agent  do  wrong 
to  Isabel,  I  would  be  drawn  and  quartered." 

Lord  Tottenham  heaved  a  great  sigh  of  relief. 

"  Forgive  me,  Jack,"  he  cried  impulsively,  and  held 
out  his  hand.  But  Marlborough  did  not  seem  to 
see  it. 

"  You  have  touched  me  in  a  very  tender  spot.  But 
I  must  endure  it.  My  tongue  is  tied." 

140 


The  King's  Agent 

He  spoke  slowly  and  mournfully,  with  a  dignity 
that  awed  Lord  Tottenham,  who  hastily  drew  back  his 
hand. 

"  If  I  have  misjudged  ye,  Jack,  and  missed  the 
meaning  of  your  words,"  he  said  humbly,  "  it  is  be- 
cause my  mind  is  but  a  narrow  one  and  interested  only 
in  one  matter.  Yet  will  I  say  one  thing  " — he  raised 
his  voice  again  a  little — "  it  does  surprise  me  that  a 
man  whose  wife  is  dearest  friend  to  a  princess  of  the 
blood — who  himself  hath  rendered  well-known  serv- 
ices, and  been  rewarded  in  some  measure — should  be 
so  tender  with  this  Brownker,  who  would  not  thrust  his 
long  nose  twice  within  my  doors  without  a  danger  of 
having  it  tweaked  off.  'Fore  Gad!  it  doth  surprise 
us  all— that's  flat." 

Marlborough  smiled — smiled  with  an  air  of  quiet, 
unutterable  scorn,  which,  though  flavoured  with 
enough  good-humoured  pity  to  prevent  it  from  being 
offensive,  was  infinitely  crushing,  and  made  Lord  Tot- 
tenham feel  as  limp  as  a  school-boy  who  had  dared 
to  argue  with  his  master. 

"  So  the  babble  of  the  coffee-houses  and  the  scan- 
dal of  the  clubs  has  poisoned  you,  old  friend.  Well- 
a-day,  well-a-day !  "  and  he  took  out  his  snuff-box. 
Yet  his  fingers  were  so  numb  that  when  he  took  a 
pinch  it  dropped  from  them.  Lord  Tottenham 
winced. 

"  Come,  come,  pick  your  words,  Jack.  Gad,  I 
said  surprise;  I  did  not  say  suspicion.  If  there  are 
rumours,  whispers — even  threats  and  accusations — 
they  come  not  from  your  friends." 

"  Yet  my  friends — my  oldest  friends — shun  me  in 
public ;  cross  the  road  when  I  advance  to  meet  them, 
and  would  hire  a  coach  to  ride  in  all  day  long  rather 
than  walk  the  length  of  half  a  street  beside  me.  Come, 

141 


The  King's  Agent 

Ned,  you  know  what  every  one  thinks  and  most  peo- 
ple say.  Be  not  mealy-mouthed." 

"  If  I  did  credit  a  half  of  what  they  say,  Jack," 
Lord  Tottenham  replied  gruffly,  "  you  would  not,  I 
do  assure  you,  find  me  mealy-mouthed." 

Marlborough  brushed  away  with  a  handkerchief 
the  snuff  which  had  fallen  on  his  waistcoat,  and  closed 
the  box  before  he  spoke  again. 

"  They  call  me  traitor,"  he  said  lightly,  "  and  say 
that  I  am  in  league  with  James  to  cast  William  from 
the  throne.  Is  not  that  so  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  I  do  not  wonder  at  it,  Ned." 

"  You  don't  wonder — why  ?  "  Lord  Tottenham 
spoke  quickly,  breathlessly.  A  careless  observer 
watching  the  two  men  would  have  taken  him  to  be 
the  suspected  man :  Marlborough,  the  judge. 

"  Why  ?  Because  after  what,  for  my  sorrow,  I 
ventured  to  say  to  my  master's  face,  it  is  not  wonder- 
ful that  his  agents  say  this  and  even  more  behind  my 
back." 

Lord  Tottenham's  eyes  dilated. 

"  What  you  said  ?  Gad,  Jack,  you  bearded  Wil- 
liam. Come — tell  me  what  you  said." 

Marlborough  nodded ;  but  before  he  spoke  he  went 
to  the  door  and  looked  out  into  the  passage. 

"  It  will  not  have  escaped  your  notice,  Ned,  that 
there  are  a  few — an  increasing  few — gentlemen,  voy- 
aging from  Holland  to  this  country." 

"  Oh,  Gad  take  the  blasted  Dutchmen !  " 

"  All  the  services,"  Marlborough  continued,  "  and 
public  offices  have  suffered  by  it.  But  the  army  most 
of  all.  A  soldier  commanding  an  expedition  risks  life, 
honour,  reputation,  and  holds  in  his  hands  the  lives  and 
honour  of  his  men.  In  all  armies  but  our  own,  the 

142 


The  King's  Agent 

man  who  bears  the  burden  and  gains  victory,  wins  the 
laurel.  But  with  us,  Englishmen  serve  and  bleed  and 
die,  while  Dutchmen  get  the  credit  and  the  pelf.  It  was 
this  I  told  the  King.  I  warned  him  humbly  of  the 
risks  he  ran,  and  the  injustice  of  it.  His  answer  was — 
dismissal.  It  is  the  usual  reward  of  a  courtier  who  tells 
the  truth." 

"  It  was  cursed  cruel,"  exclaimed  Lord  Tottenham. 
Then  he  gave  a  laugh. 

"  Zooks !  but  I'd  give  something  to  have  seen  his 
face  when  you,  the  most  smooth-tongued  of  them 
all,  dropped  in  your  bullets  of  cold  lead.  It  was  a 
right  manly,  noble  piece  of  work.  By  Gad!  Jack, 
you  deserve  the  thanks  of  all.  But " — he  paused, 
coughed,  rubbed  his  head,  and  poured  out  another 
glass  of  wine — "  but  even  yet  I  do  not  understand 
it  all." 

"  What  don't  you  understand  ?  " 

"  This — that  men,  notably  Karl  Brownker,  should 
dare  to  say  in  public  you  have  corresponded  with  King 
James." 

"  It  is  the  business  of  the  agent  of  the  King,"  Marl- 
borough  replied  coldly,  "  to  blacken  my  reputation 
everywhere." 

Lord  Tottenham  bit  his  lip. 

"  And  yours,  it  seems,  to  favour  him  at  the  expense 
of  your  best  friends.  A  strange  thing,  by  my  faith  1 
Damned  strange." 

"  A  man  who  has  for  an  enemy  the  King  of  Eng- 
land, Ned,  must  do  strange  things." 

Lord  Tottenham  grunted,  and  began  to  walk  up 
and  down  the  room. 

"You  mean? — oh,  curse  it!— I  see  now  what  you 
mean.  Jack — "  He  paused  suddenly  in  front  of  Marl- 
borough,  who  was  leaning  negligently  against  the 

143 


The  King's  Agent 

chimney-piece,    watching    his    companion    under    his 
eyelids. 

"  Jack,  dost  wish  to  hear  words  from  my  heart, 
however  rough,  or  no  ?  " 

"  So  long  as  I  hold  your  heart,  Ned,  I  do  not  mind 
rough  words." 

"  Oh,  I  love  you !  If  you  were  to  bolt  to  France 
and  fight  for  Louis  I  should  love  you  still.  For  you 
have  a  heart — a  warm  heart.  But  there's  a  devilish 
cold  calculating  brain  a-top  of  it.  That  is  why  none 
— not  even  I — can  fathom  your  designs.  But  here's 
my  words :  I  know  Karl  Brownker.  He  has  agents 
of  his  own  in  every  camp,  spies  in  every  house.  Your 
soul  may  be  as  white  and  spotless  as — as  my  boy's, 
but  this  man  I'll  take  an  oath  has  a  bolt  within  his 
hand  that,  unless  you  round  upon  him,  will  crush  you. 
I  feel  it — in  the  air,  in  the  buzzing  of  men's  tongues, 
in  the  looks  of  all  who  know  you.  Good  Gad !  Jack, 
rouse  and  tear  him  down.  Call  upon  this  devil  and 
all  the  rest  to  prove  their  words  or  take  them  back  at 
the  sword-point.  Do  this  and  quickly,  or,  upon  your 
soul,  you'll  break  my  heart." 

His  voice  trembled  at  the  end,  his  lined  face  worked 
with  emotion,  he  held  out  both  his  hands.  Marlbor- 
ough  grasped  them,  and  wrung  them  hard  and  smiled 
affectionately.  But  for  once  even  the  winning  smile 
did  not  convince  his  friend,  while  the  coldness  of  the 
hands  chilled  him  to  the  bone. 

"  At  the  right  time,  Ned,  I  will  do  all.  But  be- 
lieve me  or  believe  me  not,  that  time  has  not  come 
yet." 

Lord  Tottenham  groaned  helplessly,  and  took  up 
his  hat. 

"  Go  your  way,  then,  go  your  way.  And  I  must 
tell  my  boy — what  ?  " 

144 


The  King's  Agent 

"  To  wait.    Not  to  despair,  but  wait." 

"  It  is  a  hard  thing  to  wait  when  one  is  young, 
Jack,  and  in  love." 

"  Yet  there  is  a  harder  thing  than  that,  Ned."  Lord 
Tottenham  had  reached  the  door.  He  turned,  his  hand 
on  the  lock.  "  A  man  who  waits  for  love  to  come  to 
him,"  Marlborough  went  on,  "  has  hope  in  life.  A 
man  who  waits  for  hate  to  strike  him  down  has  but  to 
face  despair." 

"  But  you,"  exclaimed  Lord  Tottenham,  "  are  in- 
nocent. You  have  the  right  upon  your  side." 

"  All  that  is  true,  old  friend."  The  reply  came  in 
Maryborough's  quietest  tones.  "  But  I  am  not  the  first 
man  wrongfully  accused  who  has  had  to  face  despair." 


145 


CHAPTER   XV 

WHEN  Lord  Tottenham  left  the  room,  Marlbor- 
ough  returned  to  the  table,  and  sitting  down  rested  his 
head  on  his  hands.  All  the  calmness  and  the  confi- 
dence with  which  he  faced  his  friend  and  the  world  had 
vanished.  His  brow  was  furrowed  with  deep  lines ; 
his  eyes  cavernous,  the  lines  of  the  whole  face  sharp 
and  haggard.  It  became  all  at  once  the  face  of  a  hunted 
man.  He  took  out  a  letter,  glanced  over  it,  and  thrust 
it  in  the  fire.  Then  he  consulted  his  watch,  went  to 
the  door,  and,  without  opening  it,  listened  intently. 
Then  turning  sharply  away,  he  paced  up  and  down  the 
room.  Of  a  sudden  he  paused,  and  walking  slowly  to 
the  table,  sat  down.  As  he  did  so,  the  door  opened, 
and  a  club  servant  entered. 

"  Mr.  Brownker,  my  lord." 

Marlborough  rose  smiling,  and  his  visitor,  with  all 
his  keenness  of  perception,  could  not  detect  the  slight- 
est sign  of  care  or  anxiety  in  the  earl's  bland  face. 

"  It  is  not  often  Mr.  Brownker  is  behind  his  time." 

"  I  owe  your  lordship  an  apology.  But,"  with  a 
glance  at  the  empty  bottle  and  glasses  the  servant  was 
now  removing,  "  you  have,  I  see,  been  entertained." 

"  My  Lord  of  Tottenham,"  and  Marlborough  took 
snuff  with  steady  fingers  and  stared  at  Mr.  Brownker, 
"  came  to  converse  on  urgent  private  business  touch- 
ing his  friend,  Mr.  Hugh  Montgomery." 

At  this  name  Brownker's  lips  tightened  involun- 
146 


The  King's  Agent 

tarily,  and  though  he  smiled,  Marlborough  saw  the 
movement  he  had  expected  to  see. 

"  I  trust  Montgomery  will  succeed  with  your  lord- 
ship. He  is  my  friend." 

"  Indeed !  Ah — then  the  bood  spilt  a  month  ago 
was  not  lost  in  vain."  Marlborough  spoke  with  a  slight 
but  perceptible  lift  of  the  eye-brows.  "  You  acted,  sir, 
in  that  affair  as  became  a  gentleman." 

Brownker  bowed,  with  a  slight  cough.  "  Your 
lordship's  kindness  emboldens  me  to  proceed  at  once 
to  my  business." 

"  Business !  "  Marlborough  said  with  a  sigh,  seat- 
ing himself  and  motioning  his  visitor  to  do  the  same. 
"  I  recollect  you  said  you  had  some  business  of  mo- 
ment. Let  me  hear  it." 

Brownker  put  down  his  cane  and  hat  very  slowly, 
and  leant  upon  the  table. 

"  I  have  a  message  to  you  from  his  Majesty,  the 
King." 

"  In  writing,  or  by  word  of  mouth  ?  " 

"  By  word  of  mouth." 

Marlborough  gave  a  slight  but  perceptible  shrug 
of  the  shoulders.  "  His  Majesty  honours  me  by  the 
messenger  he  sends,  but  I  should  have  preferred  a 
letter." 

"  My  words  will  be  to  your  lordship's  advantage 
and — "  He  hesitated,  as  if  the  right  word  were  diffi- 
cult to  find. 

"  Oh,  pray,  sir,  give  me  his  Majesty's  whole  mes- 
sage— if  you  remember  it." 

Marlborough's  tone  was  half  scornful,  half  amused. 

Brownker  bowed.    "  And  your  lordship's  safety." 

"  Faith,  good  sir,  are  you  sure  you  do  not  mean 
your  own  advantage  ?  " 

"  That,"  Mr.  Brownker  said  blandly,  "  is  as  safe  in 
147 


The  King's  Agent 

your  lordship's  hands  as  your  honour  in  his  Maj- 
esty's." 

"  Or  my  name  and  reputation  in  your  own,  at  the 
St.  James's  Club,  for  instance.'" 

Brownker  laughed  at  this  retort,  and  his  laugh  had 
a  genuine  ring. 

"  A  shrewd  thrust,  my  lord,  which  I  know  not  how 
to  parry.  Sure,  I  must  surrender  at  discretion.  In 
truth,  I  spoke  spitefully  that  evening,  for  I  was  so  set 
upon  forcing  a  meeting  on  my — my  friend,  Montgom- 
ery, I  cared  little  what  I  said." 

"  In  other  words,  you  meant  not  what  you  said." 

"  I  have  come  to-day  to  show  your  lordship  what 
I  really  mean." 

He  bent  his  head  across  the  table  and  looked  fixed- 
ly at  Marlborough. 

"  That  is,"  he  added  respectfully,  "  if  I  have  your 
lordship's  permission." 

Marlborough  crossed  his  legs,  and  composed  him- 
self as  if  to  listen  to  a  story. 

"  My  full  permission.  It  is  so  seldom  that  I  or 
any  one  have  the  honour  of  understanding  what  Mr. 
Brownker  really  means." 

Brownker  bowed  gravely  as  if  acknowledging  a 
compliment. 

"  His  Majesty  has  heard  that  your  lordship's  health 
is  not  what  it  used  to  be  when  you  were  at  court ;  and 
having  a  tenderness  for  the  comfort  of  so  loyal  a  sub- 
ject as  your  lordship,  he  commends  to  you  a  sea- 
voyage  as  a  remedy." 

Marlborough  smiled. 

"  Pray  inform  his  Majesty  that  I  am  always  unwell 
— at  sea." 

"  So  convinced  is  the  King  that  this  would  cure 
your  spleen,"  Brownker  went  on,  "  that  in  his  name  I 

148 


The  King's  Agent 

have  chartered  for  your  lordship  a  vessel,  well-found 
and  seaworthy,  which  sails  by  to-morrow's  tide." 

There  was  a  short  pause.  While  Brownker  was 
speaking  Marlborough  had  slightly  changed  his  posi- 
tion by  folding  his  arms.  He  met  Brownker's  ques- 
tioning glance  with  a  face  of  iron. 

"  His  Majesty's  kindness  is  too  great  for  me  to  ex- 
press my  gratitude  in  words." 

"  The  King,  my  lord,  asks  only  obedience." 

"  The  destination  of  the  vessel,  pray  ?  " 

"  The  nearest  port  on  the  French  coast." 

Another  pause ;  then  Marlborough's  lips  stiffened 
to  a  pale-blue  rim  of  steel. 

"  My  humble  service  to  his  Majesty,  but  such  a 
voyage  would  aggravate  and  not  allay  the  distemper 
which  I  suffer  from." 

"  The  climate  of  France  is  mild,  and  would,  his 
Majesty  believes,  prove  grateful  to  your  lordship." 

"  Truly,  the  air  of  England  has  been  of  late  most 
uninviting,  harsh,  and  chill.  But  even  so,  I  have  no 
wish  to  become  a  subject  of  the  King  of  France." 

"  Would  not  that  be  preferable,  my  lord,  to  being 
a  prisoner  at  the  pleasure  of  the  King  of  England  ?  " 

Marlborough  smiled  grimly.  "  His  Majesty's  lov- 
ing care  of  his  faithful  subjects  is  well  known ;  but 
such  a  condescension  as  that  would  require  some  little 
explanation." 

"  It  would  be  found  in  your  lordship's  corre- 
spondence with  King  James." 

Marlborough  was  silent  a  moment,  then  he  an- 
swered with  a  mournful  air. 

"  I  had  not  believed,  if  my  own  ears  had  not  heard 
it,  that  the  imagination  of  your  intelligencers  would 
have  gone  so  far  as  this.  Pray  tell  his  Majesty  that  in 
England  for  such  accusations  to  have  weight,  even 

149 


The  King's  Agent 

against  so  insignificant  a  person  as  myself,  they  must 
be  proved." 

"  The  proof  is  to  be  found  in  your  lordship's  own 
handwriting." 

Marlborough  was  silent.  Not  by  voice  or  look  did 
he  betray  the  least  discomposure.  But  beneath  the 
mask  his  strong  will  kept  intact,  his  heart  was  beating 
like  a  hare's  with  the  greyhounds  at  its  throat.  And 
yet  the  nearer  danger  came  the  keener  grew  his  per- 
ceptions and  the  steadier  his  nerve. 

"  A  precious  crop  of  weeds,"  he  said  shortly, 
"your  diligence  has  raised." 

Brownker  nodded  complacently. 

"  When  I  began,  my  lord,  there  was  but  a  grain  of 
evidence,  but  now,  like  the  mustard-seed  of  Scripture, 
it  has  grown  into  a  tree." 

"  One  blow  of  an  axe  from  a  friendly  hand,  and  the 
whole  would  wither  at  the  root." 

"  If  your  lordship  has  a  friend  who,  for  a  price, 
would  strike  this  blow,  I  should  advise  your  lordship  to 
lose  not  an  hour  in  paying  your  friend  his  price." 

Marlborough  considered  a  moment,  and  then  gave 
a  meaning  smile. 

"  On  my  word,  sir,  my  house  would  ever  be  open 
to  such  a  friend." 

"  And  all  within  your  house  ?  " 

"  Aye,  providing  he's  a  friend." 

"  In  that  case  the  ship  may  sail  without  your  lord- 
ship." 

Marlborough  looked  as  if  he  were  relieved. 

"  My  safety  will  be  guaranteed  ?  " 

"Byrne."' 

A  gleam  shot  through  Marlborough's  eyes.  His 
lips  quivered  convulsively.  The  colour  which  had 
ebbed  from  his  face  until  it  was  ashen-white  came 


The  King's  Agent 

slowly  back.  He  rose  from  his  chair,  and  stretched 
himself  as  if  he  had  been  bound  there  and  was  now 
released;  then  he  turned  smiling  to  his  companion. 
Brownker  had  also  risen.  He  was  grave  and  quiet, 
but  in  his  eyes,  also,  was  a  gleam  of  triumph. 

"  You  have  relieved  my  mind,"  Marlborough  said 
cordially,  "  and  earned  my  warmest  thanks." 

Brownker  took  up  his  hat  and  cane. 

"  Your  lordship's  house  and  all  within  it  are,  I 
understand,  at  the  disposal  of  your  friend  ?  " 

Marlborough  nodded  with  a  cheerful  air  and  a 
gracious  wave  of  the  hand. 

"  Must  you  go  ?  " 

Brownker  bowed,  and  moved  towards  the  door. 

"  Your  lordship's  servant." 

He  bowed  low  a  second  time,  and  was  leaving  the 
room  when  Marlborough,  who  had  been  taking  snuff, 
looked  up. 

"  A  word  to  you,  my  friend." 

Brownker  turned  and  waited. 

"  You  have  a  kindness,  you  said,  for  Master  Hugh 
Montgomery.  You  will  then  be  interested  to  hear  he 
has  proposed  marriage  to  Mistress  Isabel  Fretchville, 
and  that  if  her  ladyship  agrees  I  intend  to  give  my  con- 
sent to  their  immediate  betrothal." 

At  these  words  Brownker  stood  as  one  turned  to 
stone.  Then  suddenly  approaching  Marlborough  with 
teeth  exposed  and  eyes  glaring  like  some  animal  at 
bay,  he  hissed  out : 

"  You  play  with  me,  my  lord ;  you  dare  to  play 
with  me ! " 

"  I  do  assure  you,  my  good  sir,"  Marlborough  an- 
swered with  cool  politeness,  "  I  have  done  that  long 
enough.  I  am  in  earnest  now." 

With  a  strong  effort  Brownker  controlled  himself. 


The  King's  Agent 

**  Your  lordship,  then,  prefers  the  air  of  France,  or 
the  confinement  of  the  Tower,  to  Hollywell  and  the 
fulfilment  of  your  promise  ?  " 

"  My  promise  was  that  my  house  and  all  within 
my  house  was  at  the  disposal  of  my  friend." 

"  The  setting  of  the  jewel  is  of  no  value  to  me 
when  the  jewel  I  crave  has  been  sold." 

"  You  desire — you  crave  to  ruin  Isabel  ?  " 

"  She  is  my  friend,  and  I  desire  to  pursue  that 
friendship  as  I  choose." 

"  Which  means,  if  you  choose,  betrayal.  A  pardon, 
but  that  puts  you  out  of  court.  No  man  who  could 
do  that  is  a  friend  of  mine." 

"  Your  lordship  is  pleased  to  jest  with  me,"  Brown- 
ker  said  very  quietly,  moving  again  to  the  door.  "  I 
must  leave  you  to  the  enjoyment  of  your  wit.  I  have 
an  appointment  with  his  Majesty.  Have  you  any  mes- 
sage to  return  ?  " 

"  When  his  Majesty  sees  fit  to  send  me  his  com- 
mands. At  present,  sir,  I  have  only  received  yours. 
And  those  with  humble  thanks  I  do  decline." 

"  I  am  your  lordship's  servant." 

"  I  am  yours." 

They  bowed  to  each  other,  as  men  bow  before  a 
duel  to  the  death,  and  went  their  ways. 

Marlborough  went  home  to  his  town  house  smil- 
ing all  the  way. 

"  A  near  escape.  I  could  have  sworn  at  first  that 
villain  knew.  For  once  I  have  done  his  little  Majesty 
a  wrong.  That  fellow's  lust  is  stronger  than  his  wit. 
The  cloven  hoof  peeped  out  too  soon." 


152 


CHAPTER   XVI 

HUGH  arrived  in  London  from  St.  Albans  a  little 
stiff  and  sore,  but  otherwise  none  the  worse  for  his 
ride.  Nor  was  he  in  very  low  spirits.  He  had  been  re- 
fused, it  was  true,  but  if  Isabel  did  not  return  his  love, 
at  least  there  was  good  evidence  that  he  stood  first  in 
her  regard,  and  the  time  might  come  when  even  her 
work  and  independence  might  lose  their  charm.  Not 
that  Hugh  reasoned  this  out  very  clearly,  or  thought 
the  same  thing  for  half  an  hour  together.  At  one  mo- 
ment he  was  ready  to  swear  that  Isabel  had  no  heart 
and  was  laughing  at  his  declaration;  the  next  he 
could  have  turned  his  horse  and  galloped  back  to 
Hollywell,  so  certain  was  he  there  had  been  love-light 
in  her  eyes. 

He  told  Lord  Tottenham  all  about  it  when  he 
reached  London,  but  Lord  Tottenham,  though  he  lis- 
tened patiently,  vsaid  little  in  the  way  of  encourage- 
ment. In  his  own  mind  he  was  sure  the  girl's  heart 
was  won,  and  being  fired  by  the  enthusiasm  and  rap- 
tures of  his  boy,  and  having  behind  his  crust  of  rough 
speech  as  soft  a  heart  as  any  woman,  he  became  as 
determined  an  advocate  as  any  lover  could  desire.  But 
he  was  afraid  of  Hugh's  impatience,  and  most  of  all 
was  he  afraid  of  the  Countess  of  Marlborough.  He 
had  met  her  during  Hugh's  stay  at  Hollywell,  and  the 
fiery  lady  had  used  her  tongue  to  such  purpose,  and 
expended  so  sharp  a  fit  of  temper  upon  her  old  friend, 

153 


The  King's  Agent 

that  the  thought  of  the  possibility  of  Hugh  and  her 
ladyship  meeting  until  something  had  been  done  to 
mollify  her  wrath,  was  a  constant  nightmare  to  the 
earl.  The  position  upon  Hugh's  return  became  ex- 
tremely difficult;  for  Hugh  wanted  to  see  her  lady- 
ship. He  told  Lord  Tottenham  some  one  must  have 
maligned  him,  and  that  an  explanation  would  put  all 
right.  Lord  Tottenham,  who  knew  her  ladyship's 
mind,  shuddered  at  the  bare  idea,  and  finally  went  off, 
as  we  have  seen,  to  Marlborough.  The  interview  over, 
he  was  at  his  wits'  end  what  to  do  or  say.  To 
mention  Brownker  as  the  obstacle  would  mean,  he 
thought,  another  duel.  Yet  what  excuse  could  he  in- 
vent? Just  before  he  reached  home,  however,  an  idea 
struck  him,  which  he  thought  extremely  brilliant. 

He  found  Hugh  walking  up  and  down  the  library 
like  a  lion  in  a  cage,  and  with  his  hair  tumbled  all  over 
his  face,  he  looked  not  unlike  one. 

"  What  news,  my  lord  ?  Does  he  consent  or  does 
he  not?" 

"  Pish,  Hugh !  "  cried  the  lord  cheerfully ;  "  be  not 
in  such  haste.  Come,  come.  Oddsbub!  Are  you  a 
man,  or  some  boy-calf  sighing  for  the  moon?  Gad's 
life !  I  say,  pluck  up,  pluck  up ! " 

Hugh  leant  gloomily  against  the  table,  and  gritted 
his  teeth. 

"  This  means  he  does  not  consent.  Then  I'll  go 
to  him  myself  to-morrow." 

"  You  will  go  to-morrow  to  St.  James's  Palace  ? 
to  the  King?" 

"  Ay.  My  Lords  of  Nottingham  and  Sydney  are 
my  friends,  and  one  of  them  shall  secure  you  a  pri- 
vate audience  with  his  Majesty.  Then  if  you  play  your 
cards  aright,  sir,  you  will  win  everything.  How  does 
that  fit?" 

154 


The  King's  Agent 

Hugh  looked  at  his  friend  in  great  bewilder- 
ment. 

"  The  King,  by  to-day's  Gazette,  is  sailing  for 
abroad  within  three  days." 

"  You  must  go  with  him." 

"  Lord  Marlborough  said  that  ?  "  Hugh  looked 
intensely  suspicious. 

"  It  is  my  own  suggestion  " — Lord  Tottenham  was 
fully  launched.  "  But  Marlborough  approves.  Now, 
let  me  unfold  it  to  you." 

He  cast  himself  luxuriously  into  his  elbow-chair 
and  watched  Hugh's  face. 

"  My  Lord  of  Marlborough,  Hugh,  does  not  con- 
sent, but  neither  does  he  refuse  consent.  His  answer 
was,  '  Montgomery  must  wait ' — his  own  words — 
'  Montgomery  must  wait.'  You  will  ask  why?  " 

Hugh  nodded. 

"  I  will  tell  you  why." 

His  lordship  coughed.  It  was  more  difficult  to  lie 
to  Hugh  than  he  had  thought  it  would  be.  "  The  boy 
has  such  cursed  honest  eyes,"  he  thought. 

"  The  reason,  lad,  is  politics.  You  know  naught  of 
such  things.  But  you  know  that  Marlborough  is  out 
of  favour  with  the  King — you  know  the  whispers  and 
the  rumours.  They  are  lies,  you'll  say,  all  blasted  lies ; 
but  they  stick  with  some,  and  I  fear  me  they  stick  most 
of  all  with  his  Majesty  himself.  Now,  this  is  an  oppor- 
tunity for  you.  Marlborough,  I  find,  can  think  of 
nothing  at  this  present  but  his  fallen  reputation,  and 
how  to  raise  it.  If  you  would  gain  favour  with  him — 
if  you  would  make  him  your  friend  for  life  and  win 
the  maid  you  love — you  must  restore  that  reputation, 
not  by  assaulting  William's  agents  at  the  clubs,  but  by 
taking  service  near  the  King's  own  person ;  winning 
his  confidence,  and  then  when  the  right  moment 
"  155 


The  King's  Agent 

comes,  telling  him,  as  once  you  did  tell  me,  the  true 
worth  of  his  general." 

Lord  Tottenham  stopped  for  breath.  He  was  ex- 
hausted with  his  exertions,  but  he  was  jubilant.  For 
Hugh  had  caught  fire. 

"  By  my  faith,  my  lord,  that  fits  my  humour  per- 
fectly. After  all,  what  have  I  done  yet  to  be  worthy 
of  such  a  one  as  Isabel?  She  served  me,  nursed  me 
like  an  angel  back  to  health,  and  for  this  I  ask  from  her 
her  life — everything  she  has  and  is.  No  wonder  she 
should  hesitate.  In  the  old  days  no  man  called  himself 
a  knight  until  by  some  great  deed  he  had  won  his 
spurs.  I  will  win  mine.  But " — and  suddenly  his  face 
fell — "what  can  I  do  to  serve  his  Majesty?  I  have 
no  wits  like  Brownker ;  I  have  no  position  like  your- 
self. Not  even  a  title  to  my  name  to  conjure  with." 

Lord  Tottenham  laughed. 

"  Gad's  life !  you  have  something  more  useful  than 
sharp  wits ;  something  weightier  than  a  title." 

"  I  cannot  catch  you " 

"  Money,  money,  money !  Lend  his  most  gracious 
Majesty  one  year's  income — ten  thousand  pounds — 
begging  as  recompense  some  place  in  the  household 
which  my  friends  will  doubtless  have  in  readiness,  and 
King  William  shall  smile  upon  you,  incline  his  ear 
most  readily  to  all  you  have  to  say,  and  if  you  are 
discreet  and  bide  your  time,  give  attention  even  to  a 
prayer  for  Marlborough." 

Lord  Tottenham  was  now  as  excited  as  Hugh,  and 
as  much  in  earnest.  The  notion  of  attaching  Hugh  to 
the  court  had  at  first  been  a  forlorn  hope — the  best 
to  be  expected  of  it  a  withdrawal  of  this  hot-head  from 
the  scene  of  action  until  Marlborough  had  disposed  of 
Brownker.  But  now,  partly  from  the  hold  it  took  on 
Hugh,  partly  from  the  natural  tendency  of  such  ideas 

156 


The  King's  Agent 

to  grow  like  snowballs  rolled  down  hill,  the  scheme 
began  to  assume  magnificent  proportions. 

They  discussed  it  for  two  hours,  and  both  being 
sanguine  people,  vied  with  each  other  in  prophesying 
remarkable  results.  As  a  matter  of  fact  Lord  Totten- 
ham, having  lived  mostly  in  the  country  for  the  past 
twenty  years,  had  almost  as  little  knowledge  as  Hugh 
himself  of  the  functions  and  position  of  a  junior  mem- 
ber of  the  King's  household.  All  he  knew  was  that 
the  King  was  always  short  of  money ;  that  he  had  few 
about  his  person  as  reliable  as  Hugh ;  and  that  his 
Majesty,  with  all  his  peculiarities,  was  one  of  the  few 
monarchs  who  appreciated  to  the  full  a  faithful  subject 
and  an  honest  man.  The  rest  he  left  to  his  imagination 
and  to  Hugh's. 

At  six  o'clock  Lord  Tottenham  had  to  go  off  to  a 
dinner  given  by  an  old  friend,  and  Hugh  was  left  alone. 
He  dined  at  Tottenham  Place,  and  at  eight  o'clock  set 
out  on  foot  to  stroll  home  to  his  chambers  in  West- 
minster. Lord  Tottenham  was  to  see  the  Secretary 
of  State  this  evening,  and  to  let  Hugh  know  betimes 
the  next  morning  where  he  was  to  meet  him. 

Hugh  was  in  a  restless  state  of  mind  and  body. 
The  talk  with  Lord  Tottenham  had  conjured  up  visions 
of  public  service,  and  a  possible  career  that  fired  his 
soul.  He  had  entered  into  possession  of  his  fortune 
intending  to  buy  an  estate  and  become  a  country  gen- 
tleman, for  he  was  fond  of  horses  and  all  outdoor  pur- 
suits. Then  came  love  and  Isabel,  and  life  was  changed 
to  him.  Now  came  ambition.  Love  was  mingled 
with  it.  Distinction,  the  King's  favour,  service  to  the 
country — everything  he  valued  chiefly  as  a  means  of 
raising  him  in  the  eyes  of  the  woman  he  loved.  Yet 
the  work  had  a  fascination  of  its  own,  and  the  Hugh 
Montgomery  who  looked  up  at  St.  James's  Palace  and 

157 


The  King's  Agent 

wondered  which  of  the  many  twinkling  lights  there 
shone  from  the  King's  window,  was  a  very  different 
person  from  the  self-absorbed  lover  who  had  poured 
his  disappointments,  hope,  and  despair  into  Lord  Tot- 
tenham's sympathetic  ear  two  nights  before. 

He  passed  the  palace  slowly,  and  presently  found 
himself  opposite  the  house  where  Brownker  lived. 
The  clocks  were  striking  nine  and  the  street  was  dark 
and  deserted.  A  light  flickered  here  and  there  in  front 
of  some  of  the  larger  houses,  but  these  only  made  the 
blackness  round  about  them  more  profound. 

Slowly,  almost  against  his  will,  Hugh  approached 
the  house.  He  had  nothing  particular  to  say  to  Brown- 
ker, but  his  mind  was  engrossed  with  one  absorbing 
interest — and  Brownker  was  Agent  to  the  King.  He 
crossed  the  road;  there  was  no  mistaking  the  house 
for  it  was  brightly  lighted,  and  men  and  women  came 
and  went  there  at  short  intervals,  some  going  in,  some 
coming  out ;  but  all  entering  without  hinderance,  and 
at  the  most  only  tapping  with  their  fingers  on  the  door 
before  it  opened,  as  if  they  had  pressed  some  spring. 
The  sight  was  interesting  to  Hugh,  and  for  several 
minutes  he  stood  in  the  dark  and  watched  the  people, 
speculating  idly  as  to  their  profession  in  life  by  the 
glimpse  he  got  of  their  faces  under  the  lamp.  At  length 
he  made  up  his  mind  to  go  in  himself,  and  was  about 
to  cross  the  road  when  two  men,  walking  quickly  in  the 
same  direction,  brushed  past  without  seeing  him ;  and 
as  they  passed,  one  of  them  laughed.  Hugh  started, 
and  then  stood  perfectly  still.  He  had  heard  that 
laugh  before,  and  his  hand  instinctively  grasped  the 
hilt  of  his  rapier.  Then  he  peered  forward,  taking 
care,  however,  to  be  himself  unseen.  The  men  had 
stopped  a  few  paces  off,  and  after  a  whisper  one  of 
them — a  thin,  wiry  little  creature — darted  up  the  steps 

158 


The  King's  Agent 

of   Brownker's   house   and   pulled   furiously   at   the 
bell. 

"  I  want  Master  Brownker,"  Hugh  heard  him  say, 
panting  out  the  words  as  if  he  had  been  running  for 
miles.  "  I  have  private  business  that  admits  of  no  de- 
lay. Nay,  no  clerks,"  he  cried  in  an  imperative  tone, 
"  nor  secretaries.  The  Agent  himself !  "  The  servant's 
answer  was  inaudible,  but  the  little  man's  rejoinders, 
given  in  an  acrid,  high-pitched  tone,  were  significant 
enough.  He  wrung  his  hands.  "  What,  what,  what — 
out,  you  say — not  to  be  back  till  midnight !  Whither 
has  he  gone?  My  coach  is  at  the  corner,  and  I  will 
follow  hot-foot.  His  address  then — is  it  the  St.  James's 
Club  ?  What,  what — you  cannot  tell  me  ?  Devil  take 
it,  but  you  must !  Hark  ye,  sirrah,  he  will  lay  you  by 
the  heels  if  I  should  miss  him  by  neglect  of  yours. 
Give  me  directions,  most  particularly.  But  I  will 
aid  you."  The  chink  of  money  followed,  and  then  a 
conversation  in  whispers,  at  the  end  of  which  the  door 
closed  sharply  and  the  little  man  ran  down  the  steps 
and  rejoined  his  companion. 

All  this  time  Hugh's  thoughts  were  very  busy. 
When  in  the  army  he  had  undertaken  more  than  one 
perilous  scouting  expedition  in  the  dark  round  the 
enemy's  lines.  His  faculties  were  always  exceedingly 
alert  at  night,  and  a  suspicion  seized  him  that  there 
was  some  great  roguery  afoot;  therefore,  while  the 
conversation  proceeded  at  the  door,  Hugh  surveyed 
his  position,  and  noticing  that  near  the  place  where 
the  little  man's  friend  was  standing  there  was  a  passage 
leading  to  the  back  gardens  of  the  houses,  a  place 
where  a  man  might  stand  all  night  and  never  be  per- 
ceived, he  crept  softly  up,  and  just  as  the  door  closed 
slid  within  the  shadow  of  the  arch  which  covered  the 
entrance  to  the  passage. 

159 


The  King's  Agent 

"Well,  then,  my  Bobbikin,"  exclaimed  the  little 
man  in  a  whisper  which  Hugh  now  heard  perfectly, 
"  what  say  ?  Did  I  not  question  him  to  rights  ? 
Brownker  hath  gone  away  alone,  and  though  he  told 
none  the  exact  place,  it  is  well  known  he's  going  to 
keep  tryst  with  you." 

The  other  laughed  softly.  "  Then  we'll  hurry, 
Lamb,  as  if  the  devil  were  behind  us,  'stead  of  being 
before.  The  boys  must  not  think  we  intended  to  be 
late.  Wait — my  shoe-lace  is  untied." 

He  stooped  to  do  it  up,  and  Hugh's  fingers  tingled. 
But  he  kept  still  and  waited  too. 

"  By  my  soul,  Lamb,"  the  man  continued,  tugging 
at  the  lace,  "  I  hardly  dared  to  think  that  such  a  fox 
would  put  his  head  into  my  noose.  But,  in  his  conceit, 
he  thinks  no  man  dare  lay  hands  on  the  King's  Agent 
—ha,  ha,  ha!" 

"  And,  truly,  there's  not  many — not  many,"  piped 
the  little  man  timorously.  "  I  trust  indeed  you'll  kill 
him,  Bob.  I  would  not  meet  that  man  alive  for  a  thou- 
sand pound  in  gold." 

The  other  laughed  as  he  rose  from  the  ground. 

"  And  I,  Lamb,  would  give  a  thousand  if  I  had  it 
rather  than  miss  the  opportunity  of  meeting  him — 
alive.  Rest  easy.  I  will  beat  him  to  a  jelly,  Lambkin, 
and  then  tear  his  throat  in  strips,  my  rat.  I  will,  or 
my  name's  not  Robert  Young." 


160 


CHAPTER   XVII 

MASTER  ROBERT  YOUNG  and  his  confederate,  Ste- 
phen Blackhead,  who  was  known  among  his  friends 
as  the  Lamb,  from  the  extreme  timidity  of  his  dis- 
position, hurried  eastward  at  so  brisk  a  pace  that 
Hugh  found  it  a  difficult  matter  to  keep  up  with 
them  without  danger  of  discovery.  Whither  they  were 
bound,  he  had  not  an  idea ;  but  he  had  heard  enough 
to  understand  that  some  villainy  was  about,  which  he 
must  prevent.  He  might  have  rung  up  Brownker's 
servant,  stated  what  he  had  overheard,  and,  finding  out 
the  place  Brownker  was  going  to,  follow  armed  in 
force.  But  this  would  entail  much  loss  of  time,  and 
the  rascals  would  be  sure  to  keep  a  wary  watch  for 
the  police.  If,  as  Hugh  feared,  Brownker  had  been 
decoyed  into  some  thieves'  stronghold,  there  would 
be  no  way  of  getting  at  him  but  to  creep  in  with  these 
rogues. 

So  Hugh  followed,  walking  swiftly  yet  circum- 
spectly, keeping  the  men  just  in  sight  where  it  was 
light,  but  following  much  more  closely  where  it  was 
dark.  He  was  in  the  best  of  spirits.  Such  an  adven- 
ture as  this  suited  his  restless  mood  to  a  nicety,  and 
he  was  particularly  pleased  at  the  thought  of  paying 
in  such  a  manner  the  debt  he  owed  to  Brownker. 

The  men  were  going  citywards,  and  presently 
plunged  into  a  network  of  mean  streets,  dark,  crooked, 
and  as  full  of  dangers  as  an  old  well  in  India  of  snakes. 

161 


The  King's  Agent 

Here  and  there  they  met  people,  men  and  women  both, 
some  in  doorways,  some  leaning  out  of  window,  some 
rolling  or  slinking  across  the  narrow  way — all  of  the 
lowest  criminal  class.  Hugh  saw  that  at  any  moment 
he  might  be  stopped  and  questioned,  attacked  and 
robbed.  The  position  was  critical,  and  had  to  be  met 
by  a  change  of  tactics.  Noticing  that  Young  ex- 
changed a  word  with  one  or  two  as  he  went,  and  then 
hurried  on  faster  than  before,  Hugh  quickened  his 
pace  until  he  was  only  a  few  yards  behind  him.  He 
then  turned  up  his  coat-collar  and  pulled  his  hat 
well  down  over  his  face,  and,  counterfeiting  a 
clumsy,  rolling  gait,  adopted  the  role  of  a  follower 
of  Young's,  trusting  that  this  gentleman  would  not 
look  round,  or,  if  he  did,  would  not  recognise  him. 
In  this  way,  at  least,  he  was  spared  interference  by 
others. 

Narrower  and  darker  grew  the  streets ;  full  of  foul- 
ness now,  above  and  below.  The  houses  were  high 
and  dilapidated,  each  one  inhabited  by  a  dozen  families 
or  more,  and  each  family  accustomed  to  cast  all  its 
refuse  into  space.  Drains  had  not  been  dreamt  of, 
and  where  the  open  gutters  were  choked  up,  as  they 
usually  were,  a  slum  of  the  seventeenth  century  was 
a  fearsome  thing. 

At  last  the  men  came  to  a  pause  at  the  back  of  a 
tall  dark  house.  There  was  no  light  near,  and  the  place 
was  lonely.  Hugh  crept  on  tip-toe  close  behind 
them.  A  tap  on  a  door,  then  two  more  taps.  Hugh's 
heart  was  beating  like  a  hammer.  How  was  he  to 
get  in? 

The  door  was  opened,  and  the  light  of  a  lantern, 
hung  on  a  wall  behind  it,  shone  upon  the  face  of  a  man 
with  a  cocked  pistol  in  his  hand. 

"  Eh,  you,  Parson  ?    That's  all  well/' 
162 


The  King's  Agent 

Young  scowled.  "  Blasted  oaf  that  you  are,"  he 
said  harshly.  "  Is  this  the  way  you'd  take  a  fox?  " 

The  man  grinned. 

"  Oons,  master,  he's  in  the  gin." 

Young  chuckled  himself,  and  then,  seizing  the  man 
with  the  lantern  in  his  great  hands,  he  twirled  him 
round  like  a  top. 

"  Lead  on,  lead  on,  thou  whelp  of  darkness !  This 
is  rare,  rare,  rare!  I'  faith,  I'll  make  the  fortunes  of 
ye  all." 

The  man,  nothing  loath,  climbed  briskly  up  a  nar- 
row winding  stair.  Young  followed,  licking  his  lips 
hungrily,  and  the  street  door  behind  them  banged. 
The  stairs  were  of  wood,  and  the  heavy  boots  of  the 
men  made  so  much  noise  that  neither  heard  behind 
them  a  gasp  and  faint  groan,  and  the  dull  thud  of  a 
falling  body. 

At  the  head  of  the  stairs  was  another  door  which 
opened  into  a  long  low  room  lit  by  two  swinging  lamps, 
one  at  either  end,  and  two  candles  that  stood  on  a  table 
in  the  centre.  On  the  table  between  the  candles  were 
some  papers,  a  hat,  a  pair  of  gloves,  and  a  rapier,  and 
close  by  a  heavy  chair,  screwed  to  the  floor  by  iron 
bolts.  In  this  chair  sat  a  man,  gagged  and  bound.  So 
tightly  was  he  pinioned  that  he  could  not  even  turn 
his  head,  and  only  by  his  eyes,  which  moved  slowly 
from  face  to  face,  was  it  possible  to  tell  that  he  was 
still  alive. 

Five  men  were  in  the  room,  two  putting  some  ar- 
tistic finishing  touches  to  the  rope  which  held  their 
prisoner,  the  other  three  helping  themselves  freely 
from  a  black  bottle.  None  of  them  seemed  to  share 
the  jubilation  of  Robert  Young.  That  figure  in  the 
chair,  bound  as  it  was,  still  had  the  power  to  chill  their 
courage.  Every  one  of  them  avoided  the  slowly  mov- 

163 


The  King's  Agent 

ing  eyes,  and  though  there  were  divers  bruises  on  the 
men's  faces,  the  prisoner  himself  was  neither  bruised 
nor  cut. 

Young  was  greeted  with  a  general  growl. 

"  His  Reverence,  at  last !  We've  milked  the  cow 
and  he  conies  to  skim  the  cream.  That  is  Parson !  " 

"  What !  "  snarled  Young,  glaring  round,  "  rogues, 
jail-birds,  halter-boys !  What's  that?  Cream — 'tis  you 
have  had  the  cream.  I'll  swear  that  a  hundred  pound 
was  in  his  pockets,  and  is  now  in  yours.  Who  brought 
the  fox  here  ?  Me !  Whose  hand  was  bitten  ?  "  hold- 
ing up  the  one  wounded  by  Brownker's  rapier. 
"  Mine !  I  went  into  his  lair,  you  knaves,  and  risked 
my  life.  Ay — near  lost  it.  For  what  ?  Why,  to  bring 
ye  money,  and  to  rid  ye  of  your  worst  enemy.  Another 
word  from  you  and  I  will  set  him  free,  and  will  set  him 
on  ye — muck-worms !  " 

A  rough  laugh  greeted  this  speech,  and  a  man  held 
the  bottle  towards  him. 

"  Here,  Reverence,  drink  away  your  spleen,  and 
then  to  business.  A  pest  on  quarrelling  until  the  fox 
is  dead." 

Young  took  the  bottle,  drank,  and  smacked  his 
lips.  He  was  gruesome  to  look  upon.  His  face  was 
covered  with  patches  of  black  plaster,  and  his  head 
wrapped  round  with  a  dirty-white  bandage. 

"  Business  then,  bullies."  He  looked  at  his  pris- 
oner and  rubbed  his  great  hands.  "  Ho,  ho !  "  he  said 
in  a  croaking  voice,  "  to  you  the  profit,  boys,  and  pelf, 
but  to  me — the  brush  !  Lambkin,  look  here !  What !  " 
He  turned  his  head  sharply,  for  there  was  no  response, 
and  the  door  behind  him  was  closed,  or  almost  closed. 

"  Satan !  the  little  rat  has  run !  "  He  laid  a  hand 
on  the  lock.  But  there  came  another  growl  from  the 
men. 

164 


The  King's  Agent 

"  A  pest  on  Blackhead !  He'll  be  at  the  Cross  by 
now.  Say  your  grace,  Parson,  and  to  meat !  " 

Young  laughed,  and  turned  back  again;  and  no 
one  noticed  that  the  door  began  to  open  slowly  from 
the  outside. 

"  Meat !  "  he  cried,  catching  up  the  sheathed  rapier. 
"  Ay,  I'll  slice  a  bit  to  grill.  Nay,  but  the  eyes  come 
first." 

He  felt  the  point  of  the  sword  with  his  finger,  and 
leaning  one  hand  on  the  table,  twisted  it  before  the 
face  of  his  helpless  victim,  bringing  it  nearer  and 
nearer,  until  it  was  within  a  few  inches  of  his  eyes. 
The  men  watched  him — fascinated,  admiring.  They 
were  the  offscourings  of  the  prison  hulks. 

"  Surrender — in  the  King's  name  !  " 

The  words  came  in  a  tone  of  sharp,  military  com- 
mand, and  two  of  the  men  who  had  served  in  the  army 
involuntarily  drew  stiffly  to  attention.  The  rest,  even 
Robert  Young  himself,  cowered,  and  huddled  together 
like  a  flock  of  sheep  when  a  leopard  springs  into  the 
pen. 

In  the  open  doorway  stood  Hugh,  with  drawn 
sword. 

"  You  are  trapped,"  he  said.  "  If  any  stir  to  run, 
they  will  be  shot  down." 

He  spoke  in  as  cool  and  stern  a  tone  as  if  he  had  a 
regiment  behind  him  on  the  stairs  instead  of  the  sense- 
less body  of  the  unlucky  Lamb. 

"  Loose  that  gentleman !  " 

He  pointed  at  the  figure  in  the  chair,  and  eager 
hands  made  to  tear  away  the  bonds.  But  before  they 
were  touched,  Young  gave  a  yelling  laugh. 

"  A  bite — a  bite,  you  fools !  This  coxcomb  is 
alone." 

Hugh  coolly  set  his  back  against  the  door. 
165 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Attention,  men,"  he  said,  as  if  addressing  some 
one  without  the  window.  "  When  you  see  a  face — 
fire!" 

The  thieves  hesitated.  Some  drew  their  swords. 
Some  held  back.  But  Young  laughed  loudly,  and, 
catching  up  the  rapier  he  had  dropped  at  Hugh's  ap- 
pearance, crept  towards  him  on  tip-toe. 

"  Come  on,  my  bullies !  It  is  but  two  to  play  with 
— two  instead  of  one." 

He  made  a  swift,  fierce  lunge,  but  it  was  smartly 
parried,  and  he  fell  back  heavily  on  a  man  behind  him 
to  avoid  the  return.  Hugh's  back  was  against  the  wall. 
His  ruse  had  failed,  and  he  braced  himself  for  his  last 
fight.  But  at  this  moment  there  was  a  sharp  click  and 
snap  of  steel ;  two  panels  in  the  wall  behind  the  chair 
where  the  bound  figure  lay  swung  back,  and  a  man 
stepped  into  their  midst,  a  cocked  pistol  in  one  hand 
and  a  bare  rapier  in  the  other.  There  was  a  yell  of 
men  in  mortal  terror,  for  the  light  of  the  candles  on  the 
table  shone  upon  the  face  of  Karl  Brownker.  "  Two 
instead  of  one,"  he  said,  with  a  light,  swift  lunge, 
and  Robert  Young  fell  gasping  to  the  ground,  thrust 
through  the  ribs. 

"  On  your  knees,  you !  " 

He  presented  a  cocked  pistol  at  the  men,  and  as  if 
mesmerized  they  obeyed  him,  numbed  and  nerveless 
in  their  amazement  and  horror.  Then  he  stamped  his 
foot,  and  from  the  place  where  he  had  been  concealed 
emerged  half  a  dozen  burly  messengers,  armed  to  the 
teeth. 

"  Free  Mr.  Chinnic  here,"  he  said.  "  He  will  be  a 
trifle  cramped.  Bind  these  rogues  securely." 

He  turned  to  Hugh. 

"  It  was  a  bite,  friend,  after  all.  But  none  the  less 
I  owe  you  thanks." 

166 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

"  ON  my  faith,  Brownker,  you  are  the  deadliest 
enemy  a  man  could  have.  That  poor  devil,  Young! 
I  swear  I  pity  him." 

"  Wait  until  to-morrow." 

"  Why  not  to-day  then  ?  " 

"  He  will  not  die  to-day." 

Hugh  stared,  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  went  on 
with  his  breakfast  in  silence. 

They  were  in  Brownker's  sitting-room,  the  morn- 
ing after  their  adventure.  Brownker  had  insisted  upon 
carrying  Hugh  home  with  him  the  night  before,  and 
Hugh  had  been  nothing  loath.  The  expressions  of 
gratitude  which  were  dropped  by  Brownker — the 
more  impressive  because  so  deeply  and  quietly  made 
— had  warmed  into  strong  life  an  idea  which  had 
vaguely  crossed  Hugh's  mind  before  the  adventure. 

Yet  it  was  with  mixed  feelings  that  Hugh  accepted 
the  hospitality  of  the  man  he  had  once  so  ardently  de- 
sired to  kill. 

"  A  wonderful  good  fortune,"  Hugh  remarked, 
with  his  mouth  full,  "  that  Chinnic  so  resembles  you, 
and  that  Young  was  absent  at  the  hour  of  the  appoint- 
ment. Your  man,  clever  as  he  is,  would  not  have  de- 
ceived that  fellow." 

"  I  knew  he  would  not  come  until  the  capture  had 
been  made.  The  Parson  is  one  of  those  who  always 
contrives  that  other  fingers  shall  pull  his  chestnuts 

167 


The  King's  Agent 

from  the  fire.  I  had  a  trusty  little  spy  within  the  house, 
who  discovered  to  me  the  space  behind  the  panelling. 
The  messengers  were  let  in  an  hour  before.  I  joined 
them  on  the  arrival  of  Young's  knaves,  witnessed 
everything,  and  was  about  to  make  my  coup  when 
you  saved  me  the  trouble." 

Hugh  laughed. 

"  If  I  had  known !  Yet  I  am  still  in  a  mist  on  one 
point.  You  said  last  night  that  the  paper  Young  was 
to  hand  to  you  was  of  no  importance.  What,  then, 
was  your  motive  for  taking  the  trouble  of  planning  so 
stupendous  a — bite?  Pardon,  if  I  am  impertinent." 

"  A  man  who  has  done  what  you  have  done  must 
go  far  before  he  can  be  impertinent." 

"  Pish !  I  did  just  what  you  would  do,  or  any  man, 
when  he  found  danger  attending  on  a  friend.  But  as  I 
was  going  to  say " 

"  Friend !  "  Brownker  exclaimed  abruptly.  "  You 
look  on  me  as  a  friend  ?  " 

He  rose  from  the  table  and  warmed  his  hands  at  the 
fire,  for  it  was  a  cold  March  morning. 

Hugh  followed,  and  rested  his  arms  on  the  chim- 
ney-piece. 

"  Why  ask  such  a  question  after  Hampstead  ?  " 

"  Because  scores  of  men  will  swear  friendship  but 
not  one  wishes  to  put  it  to  a  test." 

Hugh  looked  up  with  a  start  and  then  turned  away. 

"  You  read  my  thoughts.  Have  no  fears ;  I  will 
not  put  your  friendship  to  a  test." 

Brownker  raised  his  eyebrows  in  genuine  surprise. 

"  You  refuse  to  ask  a  favour  from  a  man  you  nearly 
died  for?  Faith,  I  could  not  have  believed  you  would 
so  punish  me." 

Hugh  flushed,  for  Brownker's  voice  was  grave  and 
earnest. 

168 


The  King's  Agent 

"  You  do  not  know  what  favour  I  was  going  to 
ask." 

"  Until  you  ask  it,  I  deny  that  your  friendship  is 
worthy  of  the  name." 

"  But  if  it  were  a  test  ?  " 

Brownker  made  a  curious,  wry  face. 

"  Then  it  will  not  be  the  first  I  have  withstood, 
though  I  think  the  last  was  called  an  '  opportunity.' 
Your  mind  ?  " 

Hugh  cleared  his  throat. 

"  I  had  a  wish  to — I  am  seeking  an  introduction  to 
the  King." 

Mr.  Brownker  nodded  carelessly. 

"  In  half  an  hour  I  have  an  audience  with  him.  We 
will  go  together.  Now,  what  else  ?  " 

But  Hugh's  breath  was  taken  away.  "  See  his 
Majesty  in  half  an  hour !  "  he  faltered.  "  But — but — 
my  clothes ! " 

Mr.  Brownker  gave  a  contemptuous  sniff. 

"Have  you  ever  seen  his  Majesty's  clothes?  If 
you  would  win  William's  favour,  show  no  considera- 
tion for  your  clothes." 

"  Thank  Heaven ! "  muttered  Hugh  devoutly. 
Then  his  face  grew  troubled.  "  But  I  was  to  meet  my 
Lords  Sydney  and  Nottingham  at  noon,  to  hear 
whether  they  could  arrange  an  audience." 

"  They  can't,"  Brownker  said  shortly.  "  The  King 
will  see  no  one  except  on  private  and  most  urgent 
business  before  he  goes  to  Holland.  You  may  take 
the  word  from  me." 

Hugh  smiled. 

"  I  have  heard  enough  and  seen  enough  to  take 
anything  from  you.  But,  I  have  a  favour  to  ask  his 
Majesty." 

"  No  one  ever  seeks  an  audience  for  anything  but 
,  169 


The  King's  Agent 

favours,  which  is  why  his  Majesty  so  heartily  detests 
audiences.  But  the  favour  shall  be  granted,  if  I  can 
compass  it." 

Hugh's  eyes  grew  moist. 

"  Brownker,  you  are  a  friend  indeed." 

"  Prove  me  first,"  was  the  rejoinder.    "  Well?  " 

"  I  want  to  serve  his  Majesty ;  to  gain  his  con- 
fidence. I  had  thought  of  asking  for  a  place — some 
small  place — in  his  household.  I  would  pay  highly 
for  it." 

"  And  lose  your  money.  Understand,  the  men  of 
William's  household,  unless  they  are  Dutchmen,  are 
trusted  less  by  William  even  than  the  members  of  his 
Privy  Council ;  less  than  his  ministers ;  and  less, 
if  that  be  possible,  than  my  Lord  of  Tottenham's 
friends,  the  Viscount  Sydney  and  the  Earl  of  Notting- 
ham." 

Hugh's  eyes  grew  big  with  perplexity. 

"  If  that  is  true,  then  the  men  who  are  at  the  King's 
right  hand  are  trusted  least  of  all." 

Brownker  smiled,  as  one  smiles  at  a  prattling  child. 

"  I  do.  assure  you,"  he  said,  speaking  very  slowly, 
his  eyes  fixed  on  Hugh's  face,  "  not  our  noble  friend, 
the  Earl  of  Marlborough  himself,  is  suspected  so 
shrewdly  by  the  King  of  treason  as  some  of  his  present 
ministers  of  state." 

Hugh  changed  countenance.  For  an  instant  he 
hung  his  head  with  knitted  brow,  then  raised  it  with 
the  sudden  look  of  a  man  resolved. 

"  Brownker,  you  have  called  my  friendship  into 
question  because  I  hesitated  to  ask  from  you  this 
favour.  I  will  prove  now  I  had  good  reason  for  my 
diffidence.  My  object  for  seeking  service  with  the 
King  is  to  get  his  ear  and  plead  to  him  the  cause  of 
Marlborough,  and  I  do  this — Gad!  you  shall  know 

170 


The  King's  Agent 

all  before  you  aid  me — I  do  it  to  win  favour  with  Isabel 
Fretchville.  Will  you  help  me  now  ?  " 

Hugh's  face  was  burning-,  but  he  stood  firmly  be- 
fore Brownker  ready  for  irony,  anger,  surprise — any- 
thing but  what  he  got. 

Brownker's  face  showed  no  emotion  whatever. 
For  a  few  moments  he  was  silent,  then  answered  in 
his  quietest  tone :  "  I  will  help  you." 

Hugh  looked  at  him  in  amazement;  then  his  face 
stiffened  and  his  mouth  set  hard. 

"  I  was  told  once  somewhat  concerning  you  and 
Isabel,  but  I  would  kill  a  man  who  said  it  now.  That  is 
not  true  ?  " 

"  It  is  not  true."  Brownker's  voice  was  cold  and 
clear  as  the  drip  of  water  in  a  mountain  spring.  "  We 
have  been  friends.  No  more." 

Hugh  drew  a  long  breath  like  one  relieved  of  a 
heavy  weight. 

"  Your  pardon." 

Their  fingers  met  in  a  close  grip.  But  Hugh  no- 
ticed and  remembered  afterward  that  Brownker's  were 
very  cold. 

A  church-bell  clanged  outside. 

Brownker  laid  a  hand  upon  Hugh's  arm, 

"  It  is  time  to  meet  the  King." 


12 


CHAPTER   XIX 

THE  way  through  St.  James's  Palace  to  the  King's 
private  apartment  was  devious  and  long,  and  at  every 
door  and  in  every  passage  were  soldiers.  But  there 
was  no  delay.  Each  guard  saluted,  and  all  doors 
opened  at  Karl  Brownker's  nod.  In  the  anteroom 
to  the  King's  closet,  however,  they  had  to  wait, 
for  some  one  was  with  the  King.  Here  a  gentle- 
man came  up  to  them,  at  sight  of  whom  Brownker 
whispered  to  Hugh,  "  Nottingham,"  and  then  bowed 
low. 

"  Your  lordship's  humble  servant." 

The  Secretary  of  State  replied  with  a  slight  and 
supercilious  nod.  "  If  this  gentleman  desires  to  see 
the  King,  Brownker,  he  has  come  on  a  fruitless  er- 
rand." 

"  But  if  the  King  desires  to  see  this  gentleman,  my 
lord  ?  "  Brownker  said  smoothly. 

The  earl's  clever  but  ill-tempered  face  began  to 
twitch. 

"  I  must  tell  you  the  King  has  desired  he  may  not 
be  interrupted.  So  close  is  he,  I  myself  cannot  intro- 
duce a  gentleman  I  had  promised  my  Lord  Totten- 
ham to  present  to-day." 

"Was  it  one  Mr.  Hugh  Montgomery,  my  lord?" 

"  You  have  the  man's  name." 

"  Let  me  introduce  to  your  lordship  the  owner  of 
the  name." 

172 


The  King's  Agent 

Lord  Nottingham  looked  very  much  surprised,  and 
not  best  pleased. 

"  My  congratulations,  sir,"  he  said  stiffly  as  Hugh 
bowed,  "  that  you  should  have  found  a  friend  more 
powerful,  though  not  more  willing  than  myself." 

"  Your  lordship  must  forgive  me,"  Hugh  said  with 
a  coolness  that  slightly  surprised  Brownker,  "  if,  know- 
ing you  were  engaged  in  high  affairs  of  state,  and 
meeting  Mr.  Brownker  unexpectedly,  I  ventured  to 
take  my  opportunity  with  him.  It  is  vital  to  my  in- 
terests I  should  see  the  King  to-day." 

"  Your  interests,  my  young  sir,"  the  lord  said 
patronizingly,  "  will  not  be  served  by  over-haste." 

Karl  coughed.  "  Your  lordship,  then,  knows  the 
purpose  of  our  audience  ?  " 

"  Your  purpose,  my  good  Brownker,  is  never  far 
to  seek.  A  plot,  or  a  pretended  plot." 

Brownker  sighed. 

"  Your  lordship  is  near  the  mark.  For  the  matter 
concerns  a  minister  of  state." 

He  spoke  with  deliberate  impertinence.  The 
earl's  lips  tightened,  though  he  strove  to  preserve  a 
contemptuous  calm.  "  You  choose  a  bad  subject  for 
your  mirth,"  he  said,  "  when  you  try  your  wit  on  me." 

"  Your  lordship  ?  Nay  " — Brownker  raised  his 
eyebrows  in  mock  dismay — "  at  least,  I  trust  not ;  the 
minister  I  mean  lies  under  suspicion  of  high  trea- 
son." 

"  The  devil  take  your  insolence !  "  Lord  Notting- 
ham had  boiled  over  at  last.  "  I  will  not  be  gibed  by 
you,  sir,  though  you  do  sit  in  the  pocket  of  the  King." 

"  My  lord — my  Lord  of  Nottingham " 

The  door  of  the  King's  chamber  had  opened,  and 
a  little  brown-faced  man  with  keen  eyes  and  a  huge 
nose,  dressed  in  a  claret-coloured  suit  that  did  not  fit 

173 


The  King's  Agent 

him,  and  a  peruke  very  much  out  of  curl,  stood  there 
watching  them. 

All  uncovered  with  deep  bows,  and  the  Earl  of 
Nottingham  became  affected  with  a  violent  fit  of 
coughing. 

"  My  Lord  of  Nottingham,"  the  little  man  said, 
when  his  lordship  had  recovered.  "  When  my  agent 
comes  to  me  upon  important  business,  be  good  enough 
to  waste  no  words  upon  him.  Karl,  I  am  alone." 

He  turned  away,  and  went  back  into  his  room  with- 
out waiting  for  a  reply,  leaving  the  door  open.  Brown- 
ker,  bowing  profoundly  to  the  discomfited  earl,  fol- 
lowed, signing  to  Hugh  to  accompany  him. 

"  A  chill  day,"  his  Majesty  said,  coughing  and  shiv- 
ering. "  I  woke  this  morning  with  catarrh.  Ugh, 
ugh — even  the  weather  disagrees  with  me  in  England." 

He  had  walked  to  his  writing-table  and  while 
speaking  covered  with  a  quick  movement  some  papers 
there ;  then,  turning  from  it  and  clasping  his  hands 
behind  his  back — a  favourite  attitude  of  his — he  slowly 
approached  Hugh,  taking  no  notice  of  Brownker. 

"  Master  Hugh  Montgomery,  late  of  my  Fusiliers. 
What  do  you  want,  sir  ?  " 

At  this  abrupt  address  Hugh  gasped,  then  recov- 
ered himself,  and  said  bluntly : 

"  To  serve  your  Majesty." 

William  grunted. 

"  That  means  a  commission."  Then  with  a  quick 
jerk  of  the  head — "  Karl,  what  does  he  want?  " 

"  Something  more  than  a  commission,  sire.  You 
may  remember  the  history  of  his  family  and  for- 
tunes  " 

"  I  remember  this,"  the  King  said  with  another 
grunt.  "  It  was  his  father  who  laid  violent  hands  upon 
the  person  of  King  Charles  for  some  trifling  attention 

J74 


The  King's  Agent 

to  his  wife,  and  his  mother's  father  who  was  bosom 
friend  of  Cromwell's — a  worthy  family — mon  Dieu!  " 

"  An  honest  one,  your  Majesty,"  Hugh  said  boldly. 
"  God  knows." 

"  He  may  know,  sir,"  was  the  sharp  reply,  "  but  I 
do  not.  Karl,  explain  it  all." 

"  Mr.  Montgomery,  sire,  is  the  best  man  I  can  find 
in  England  to  discover  to  you  the  true  purpose  and  de- 
signs of  the  Earl  of  Marlborough." 

At  this  name  William's  bearing  changed  as  a 
hawk's  when  sailing  over  a  field  it  sees  its  prey  below. 

"  So !  "  he  snapped.  "  What  is  there  of  Marlbor- 
ough ?  What  then  ?  " 

"  Only  his  lordship's  signature,  sire,  has  been  put 
to  a  paper  which,  if  proved  genuine,  must  send  him  to 
the  block  condemned  even  by  his  warmest  friends ;  but 
which,  if  a  forgery  " — he  raised  his  voice  and  looked 
at  Hugh  whose  face  was  scarlet  with  anger  and  aston- 
ishment— "  I  say,  if  a  forgery,  will  go  far  to  assure 
your  Majesty  that  the  earl  has  been  accused  un- 
justly. Mr.  Montgomery,  a  devoted  follower  of 
the  earl,  but  at  the  same  time  a  loyal  subject  to 
yourself,  and  a  friend  of  mine,  offers  to  aid  us  to 
unfold  this  mystery.  Your  Majesty  could  find  no 
better  man." 

The  King  glanced  slowly  at  the  faces  of  the  young 
men:  at  Brownker's  cool  and  quiet,  Hugh's  flushed 
and  amazed. 

"  The  paper,  Karl." 

Brownker  took  out  a  piece  of  folded  parchment  and 
his  Majesty  took  it  to  the  window. 

The  room  was  very  still  as  the  King  read  this 
paper.  Hugh,  breathless  with  excitement,  was  bewil- 
dered and  stunned  by  the  strange  turn  of  affairs.  This 
was  the  paper  "  of  no  importance,"  as  Brownker  had 

175 


The  King's  Agent 

called  it  the  night  before.  Yet  though  startled,  he  was 
confident  of  Brownker's  good  faith.  Nothing  less  than 
full  investigation  he  saw  clearly  would  satisfy  the  King 
that  Marlborough  was  innocent.  A  revulsion  of  feel- 
ing now  took  place  in  Hugh's  mind  towards  his  Majes- 
ty. No  longer  did  he  appear  a  person  of  mean  stature, 
and  curt,  uncivil  manners.  The  impassive  face  now 
became  stern  and  terrible.  The  slight,  bent  figure 
seemed  to  grow  in  height  and  dignity.  His  dark,  pen- 
etrating eyes,  usually  cold  and  slightly  sinister,  burned 
with  indignation,  and  from  the  whole  face,  pinched  and 
haggard  with  ill-health  and  a  dyspeptic  temperament, 
shown  out  the  kingly  soul  within,  the  intrepid,  manly 
heart,  and  glorified  it.  As  Hugh  met  his  glance,  a 
glance  swift  and  eagle-like,  he  felt  a  curious  shock. 
He  was  no  more  in  the  presence  of  a  man  he  might 
love  or  hate  like  other  men,  but  in  the  presence  of 
the  King. 

"  My  life  on  it,  this  signature  is  Marlborough's," 
his  Majesty  said,  handing  the  paper  to  Hugh.  "  You 
know  his  hand,  sir  ?  " 

Hugh  bowed. 

"  Then  examine  this  writing,  after  which,  Karl,  you 
must  read  aloud  this  '  Association.'  " 

Hugh  took  the  parchment,  and  on  the  last  page,  in 
fair  unmistakable  characters,  with  others,  was  Marl- 
borough's  name. 

"  Your  judgment,"  the  King  said  sharply. 

Hugh  forced  himself  to  speak. 

"  Your  Majesty  is  right." 

"  And  yet,  I'd  swear,  sir,"  the  King  rejoined,  "  you 
still  remain  a  follower  of  the  Earl  of  Marlborough." 

Hugh's  eyes  flashed. 

"  Your  Majesty's  words  are  neither  just  nor 
true." 

176 


The  King's  Agent 

At  this  Brownker  coughed  significantly.  But  Wil- 
liam chuckled. 

"  Ma  foil  I  must  mind  my  tongue,  ah  ?  or  be 
shaken  like  King  Charles.  Nay  " — as  Hugh  would 
have  spoken — "  not  a  word.  The  dish  is  to  my  taste. 
Let  me  believe  I  have  for  once  met  an  honest  English- 
man. Karl,  read  the  '  Association,'  and  read  slowly. 
I  would  no  word  may  fall  unheeded  by  Lord  Marlbor- 
ough's  friend." 

He  had  seated  himself  at  the  table,  and  leaning  his 
chin  upon  his  hand,  sat  still  and  looked  at  Hugh  under 
his  heavy  brows. 

"  We,  whose  names  are  subscribed,"  Brownker 
read,  "  solemnly  promise  in  the  presence  of  God  to 
contribute  our  utmost  assistance  towards  King  James's 
recovery  of  his  kingdom.  That  to  this  end  we  will 
have  ready  to  meet  him,  at  his  landing,  30,000  men, 
well  armed.  That  we  will  seize  upon  the  person  of  the 
Princess  of  Orange,  dead  or  alive,  and  take  care  that 
some  strong  garrisons  should  be  forthwith  delivered 
into  his  hands,  and  furnish  him  with  a  considerable 
sum  of  money  for  the  support  of  his  army.  Dated 
this  20th  day  of  March,  1691." 

Brownker  paused,  and  Hugh  gave  a  deep  sigh. 

"Your  Majesty  will  allow  me  a  question?" 

"  There  is  no  question,"  snapped  the  King,  "  but 
you  may  speak." 

"  The  man  who  gave  up  this  '  Association '  is  an 
abandoned  rogue.  How  know  we  that  it  is  not  all  a 
counterfeit  ?  " 

"  Because  you  know  it  seems  Lord  Maryborough's 
signature." 

"  Then  the  presence  of  the  name  is  to  be  accepted 
as  proof  of  guilt." 

"  Stay  your  tongue,  sir,"  cried  the  King  peevishly. 
177 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Were  this  accepted,  as  you  call  it,  as  a  proof,  my 
lord  would  be  in  the  Tower  and  your  services  not 
needed." 

Hugh  bowed  humbly. 

"  I  crave  pardon." 

"  Learn  patience,  sir.  Mon  Dieu!  you  are  all  im- 
pulse. Now  answer  me  this  question.  Serve  you 
Lord  Marlborough,  innocent  or  guilty,  or  will  you 
serve  her  Majesty  ?  Make  up  your  mind  at  once ;  ex- 
press it  openly." 

Hugh  bowed  again. 

"  I  serve  her  Majesty,  and  you,  sire,  with  my 
life." 

William  nodded. 

"  That  is  better,  and  Karl,  here,  trusts  you,  which 
is  best  of  all.  But  have  you  counted  the  whole  cost  ?  " 

"  The  whole  cost,  your  Majesty." 

"  Then  you  may  go  upon  the  business.  Karl,  ar- 
range your  friend's  proceedings.  Fare  you  well,  sir. 
Be  diligent  and  discreet.  Fare  you  well." 

The  King  waved  his  hand  in  dismissal.  But  Hugh 
did  not  move. 

"  I  have  something  I  would  crave  from  your 
Majesty,"  he  said,  "  in  return." 

"  Ha,  no  Englishman  serves  his  King  for  naught ! 
No,  no.  Well,  speak,  sir." 

"  If  it  should  be  proved  that  after  all  this  paper  is 
but  counterfeit  I  ask  that  your  Majesty  will  give  me 
in  your  own  handwriting  a  few  words  stating  that  in 
your  belief  my  Lord  of  Marlborough  is  a  loyal  sub- 
ject." 

The  King  rubbed  his  chin  slowly  and  shook  his 
head. 

"  That  is  more  than  I  could  do." 

Hugh  drew  himself  up. 
178 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Then,  I  must  beg  your  Majesty  to  find  one  who 
will  act  sleuth-hound  better  than  myself,  for  I  will 
not  touch  the  trail." 

The  King  smiled  grimly. 

"  In  other  words,  you  had  intended  to  serve  Lord 
Marlborough  under  pretence  of  serving  me." 

"  If  my  lord  is  innocent,  I  might  without  harm 
serve  both." 

The  King  looked  at  Brownker  with  a  grimace. 
"  That  does  not  satisfy,  eh,  Karl  ?  " 

"  Your  Majesty  will  not  be  a  loser  by  the  service 
of  my  friend  even  upon  his  own  conditions." 

William  laughed  dryly. 

"  Nay,  then  I  need  not  hesitate.  Prove  my  lord's 
innocency,  sir,  and  I  will  proclaim  it." 

Hugh  moved  to  the  door. 

"  I  am  your  Majesty's  most  obedient  servant,"  he 
said  earnestly. 

"  Until  I  refuse  to  do  your  bidding,"  muttered  the 
King  as  the  door  closed.  "  Mon  Dieu!  these  English- 
men. Karl,  what  is  it  all  about  ?  " 

He  spoke  in  Dutch  now,  in  the  tone  a  man  of  busi- 
ness uses  to  his  confidential  clerk.  "  This  paper  is 
counterfeit,  though  the  cunningest  I  have  seen. 
What!" 

Brownker  smiled. 

"  It  is  a  means  to  an  end,  sire." 

"  Marlbor.ough's  ruin.     But  how  ?  " 

"  By  the  simplicity  of  this  Montgomery,  and  the 
ingenuity  of  his  cousin,  the  Lady  Susan's  daughter, 
agent  to  James  Stuart." 

"But  the  forgery?" 

"  Is  a  first  step.  I  am  preparing  a  trap,  and  a  bait 
was  necessary." 

William  took  a  sharp  turn  up  and  down  the  room. 
179 


The  King's  Agent 

"  My  good  friend,"  he  said  suddenly,  "  you  are 
much  too  confident.  I  know  these  Englishmen.  They 
are  dull  in  wit,  prejudiced  and  narrow  in  their  minds. 
But  they  are  not,  even  when  they  happen  to  be  honest, 
one  half  so  simple  as  they  look." 


180 


CHAPTER   XX 

THERE  was  rejoicing  and  gladness  in  the  mansion 
of  the  Churchills.  The  children  were  rampaging  all 
over  the  house,  the  servants  going  about  their  work 
with  cheerful  faces,  and  even  the  labourers  and  tenants 
on  the  estate,  a  stolid  race,  wore  the  air  of  relief  and 
enjoyment  of  boys  when  they  get  an  unexpected  holi- 
day. The  Earl  of  Marlborough  had  returned  to  his 
home  and  left  the  countess  in  London. 

The  earl  was  liked  by  his  tenants,  respected  by 
his  servants,  adored  by  his  children.  His  lady  was 
feared  by  her  children,  cordially  detested  by  the  ten- 
ants of  the  estate,  and  in  the  eyes  of  her  servants  was 
a  tyrant  unspeakable. 

Yet  Marlborough  was  not  a  generous  master.  No 
service  was  ever  paid  for  by  him  a  penny  over  its 
market  price,  and  not  infrequently  below  it.  But  he 
treated  all  kindly  and  considerately,  and  interfered  with 
no  one's  private  affairs.  The  countess,  on  the  con- 
trary, had  her  finger  in  the  pies  of  every  person  in  her 
house,  and  if  anything  happened  to  them  without  her 
knowledge  and  approval,  they  rued  it.  Not  seldom 
this  resulted  in  great  practical  advantages  for  her  de- 
pendents. Many  an  obscure  lad  or  maid  rose  to  place 
and  power  through  the  keenly  discerning  eye  of  Sarah 
Marlborough  and  the  dominant  will  which  swept 
everything  before  it  until  the  crash  in  1710.  But  how 
they  hated  her!  Even  her  favourites  hated  her — in- 

181 


The  King's  Agent 

deed,  often  her  favourites  most  of  all.  Her  violent  tem- 
per, which  spared  none  until  it  had  run  its  course, 
and  her  restless,  busy,  managing  soul,  which  never 
could  be  still  a  moment  or  endure  passivity  in  others, 
but  must  be  forever  pushing  all  towards  the  particular 
goal  of  her  ambition  for  the  time  being — these  weak- 
nesses spoilt  all  the  virtues  she  possessed.  Two  persons 
only,  her  husband  and  Isabel,  endured  patiently  her 
passions  and  her  tempers,  and  appreciated  all  that  lay 
behind — the  determination  to  expose  shams  whenever 
she  met  them,  and  her  haughty  denial  to  any  rank  or 
power  of  the  right  to  dictate  principles  of  action  and 
govern  the  conscience  even  of  the  humblest  person. 
Tyrannical  herself,  yet  Lady  Marlborough  fought  to 
the  last  against  tyranny  in  others.  Grasping  and  close 
in  money  matters,  and  loving  money  desperately,  she 
could  be  generous  in  charitable  gifts,  and  in  all  her  offi- 
cial business  as  Mistress  of  the  Robes  to  Anne  was 
scrupulously  accurate  in  her  accounts.  In  an  age 
reeking  with  peculation,  Lady  Marlborough  was  never 
seriously  accused  of  misappropriating  any  of  her  mis- 
tress's money. 

None  of  these  qualities,  however,  appealed  to  those 
about  her.  To  servants,  dependents,  and  children  she 
was  a  scourge  and  an  object  of  dread.  When  she  had  a 
mind  she  could  be  charming,  and  her  children  then 
timidly  sunned  themselves  in  her  kindness,  but  all 
looked  on  it  as  exceptional,  as  when  stroking  a  tiger 
through  the  bars  of  a  cage,  one  keeps  a  sharp 
watch  for  its  claws.  All  was  different  when  Marlbor- 
ough ruled  the  house  alone.  Then  with  a  smile  and  a 
sigh  Madam  Carrington  would  shut  up  the  lesson- 
books  and  quietly  take  up  her  embroidery  work  and 
retire  within  herself.  The  rule  of  the  school-room  was 
over.  Holidays  were  proclaimed,  and  the  future  leader 

182 


The  King's  Agent 

of  the  armies  of  Europe  was  overrun  rough-shod  by  an 
uproarious,  undisciplined  mob. 

They  climbed  on  his  bed  at  dawn  and  serenaded 
him  with  whistles  and  drums.  They  lay  in  wait  all  the 
morning  outside  his  library  door  where  he  was  writ- 
ing and  seeing  visitors,  and  the  instant  he  appeared 
alone  they  charged  him  in  force  and  dragged  him  cap- 
tive off  to  play.  They  chattered  to  him  all  through 
his  meals,  and  nothing  but  the  authority  of  Isabel 
enabled  him  to  dine  at  night  and  drink  his  solitary 
bottle  of  wine  in  peace. 

Marlborough  made  little  resistance.  Perhaps  the 
knowledge  of  the  iron  curb  put  upon  them  all  at  other 
times  had  something  to  do  with  this. 

We  see  him  on  the  lawn  a  few  weeks  after  his  inter- 
view with  Karl  Brownker  on  a  fine  bright  April  after- 
noon with  Charley  on  his  shoulder.  A  race  was  to  be 
run  by  the  whole  family,  with  Isabel  at  the  winning- 
post — the  earl's  cane  with  her'  own  hat  upon  it — 
to  proclaim  the  winner.  She  waved  her  handker- 
chief as  a  signal,  and  away  they  all  went  with  a  shout 
— a  merry  crew.  Charley  was  madly  excited,  and 
mercilessly  kicked  his  patient  steed,  who,  though  heav- 
ily handicapped,  came  in  first  and  secured  the  prize  for 
the  marplot — an  immense  sugar-plum,  which,  coming 
from  France,  might  have  been  seized  by  the  King's 
agent  as  an  evidence  of  treasonable  correspondence 
with  James  if  it  had  not  happened  to  have  been  pre- 
sented to  the  family  by  Karl  Brownker  himself. 

"  That  younker  grows  heavier  day  by  day,"  the 
earl  exclaimed  to  Isabel,  as  the  nursery-bell  rang  and 
the  children  scampered  off  to  tea.  "  A  pity  you  can- 
not feed  your  calves  on  the  same  principle  you  nourish 
Charley,  and  we  should  grow  bullocks  such  as  no  one 
ever  saw." 

183 


The  King's  Agent 

"  If  your  lordship  would  purchase  from  my  Lord 
Godolphin  those  yearlings  he  offered  me,"  Isabel  said 
demurely,  "  I  would  put  them  in  the  home  pasture 
and " 

But  Marlborough  had  stopped  his  ears  with  an  ex- 
clamation of  horror. 

"  What,  again !  Why  did  I  mention  calves  ?  An- 
other word  of  it,  farmer,  and  I  take  horse  for  London. 
On  my  oath,  you  are  a  very  leech  for  draining  me  of 
money.  Not  a  calf — not  a  calf's  tail." 

"  Then  your  lordship's  beeves,"  Isabel  said  imper- 
turbably,  "  will  continue  to  fetch  a  less  price  than  my 
Lord  Godolphin's,  though  our  pasture  is  by  far  the 
richer.  If  it  should  please  you  to  spend  only  fifty 
pounds " 

"  My  child,"  Marlborough  interposed  in  a  very  gen- 
tle tone,  but  which  quenched  Isabel  at  once,  "  I  have 
now  not  fifty  pounds  to  spend.  Pray,  change  the  sub- 
ject." 

Isabel  put  on  her  hat  and  prepared  to  return  to  the 
fields,  when  he  detained  her. 

"  Nay,  do  not  go  away.  Let  us  walk  together  where 
we  can  be  alone  and  unobserved.  Take  me  to  your 
haunt." 

Isabel  led  the  way  to  the  Nun's  Walk,  wondering 
and  curious.  She  had  rather  expected  when  my  lord 
arrived  from  London  that  he  would  say  something  to 
her  about  Hugh  Montgomery,  for  she  was  cer- 
tain in  her  own  mind  that  Hugh  would  go  to  him ; 
but  a  week  had  passed,  and  the  earl  had  made  no 
sign. 

The  evening  was  fine  and  clear,  but  there  was  still 
some  crispness  and  sharpness  in  the  air.  They  walked 
fast. 

"  The  third  year  of  your  service,  Farmer  Isabel," 
184 


The  King's  Agent 

Marlborough  said  as  the  garden  gate  closed  behind 
them.  "  The  last  of  three  very  profitable  years  for  the 
estate." 

Isabel  coloured  deeply  with  pleasure.  She  was 
very  sensitive  to  praise  from  him. 

"  I  have  tried,"  she  said  simply,  "  but  so  often 
failed  that  I  fear  the  result  is  a  sorry  one.  Yet  if  it 
satisfies  you,  my  lord,  I  am  content." 

"  I  am  satisfied,"  Marlborough  said,  placing  her 
hand  on  his  arm  and  falling  into  step  with  her,  "  that 
in  all  my  life  I  never  spent  fifty  pounds  a  year  to  better 
purpose  than  on  you.  Alas  that  the  time  comes  soon, 
or  has  come,  when  all  the  money  I  possess  would  fail 
to  keep  you  steward  of  my  estate !  " 

He  laid  a  finger  on  her  hand  as  he  spoke,  and  felt 
it  quiver.  She  said  nothing  for  a  few  moments ;  then 
in  a  quiet,  matter-of-fact  tone — 

"  Mr.  Montgomery  has  been  to  you,  my  lord." 

Marlborough  cleared  his  throat. 

"  Another  gentleman  was  in  my  mind." 

Isabel  turned  sharply,  and  met  a  look  she  could 
not  read — kind,  grave,  penetrating.  A  chill  dread 
struck  her. 

"  I  know  what  your  lordship  thinks,"  she  said  in 
a  low  voice.  "  But  if  my  word  has  any  weight — per- 
haps it  has  not,  being  a  woman's — I  assure  you  I 
thought  of  nothing  but  a  mere  friendship  when  I  be- 
came acquainted  with  Mr.  Brownker." 

Marlborough  caressed  the  hand  on  his  arm. 

"  My  dear  daughter  Isabel,  do  you  suppose  I  knew 
so  little  as  to  suspect  you  of  coquetry  ?  As  soon  would 
I  harbour  jealous  thoughts  of  my  dearest  Sarah.  No, 
my  meaning  was  that  the  time  has  soon  to  come  when 
I  shall  be  whistling  for  a  steward,  with  two  such  fine 
gentlemen  courting  you.  Two,  did  I  say?  A  pardon. 

185 


The  King's  Agent 

This  Montgomery  is  but  a  raw  stripling.     I  meant 
one!" 

He  was  still  holding  her  hand.  But  it  was  now 
rather  the  pressure  of  a  doctor's  fingers  than  the 
caress  of  a  friend. 

Isabel,  who  carried  her  hoe  in  the  other  hand, 
turned  aside  to  uproot  a  weed. 

"  Your  lordship  will  deem  me  rude,  but  it  is  in  my 
mind  to  say  that  I  should  not  have  thought  you  would 
speak  slightingly  of  Mr.  Hugh  Montgomery." 

"  Indeed,  I  do  not,"  he  replied  tranquilly.  "  But 
compared  to  Brownker  he  is  raw  and  rude,  and  the 
man  of  polish  and  wit  whom  you  have  known  some 
months  must  take  preference  to  the  youth.  True,  by  a 
chance,  Hugh  served  you,  and  you  repaid  the  service 
by  a  word  which  saved  his  life,  and  after,  nursed  him 
through  his  sickness.  Such  acquaintance  has  naturally 
bred  affection  on  both  sides :  on  his  the  lover's,  on 
your  own  the  sister's — poor  Montgomery !  " 

He  smiled,  swung  his  cane  slowly  to  and  fro,  and 
watched  her  with  half-closed  eyes.  Isabel  had  drawn 
her  hand  from  his  arm  and  was  now  in  the  midst  of  a 
clump  of  immense  thistles,  massacring  one  after  an- 
other. When  the  colony  was  reduced  to  a  heap  of 
corpses,  she  rejoined  him,  smiling. 

"  Your  lordship  will  forgive  me.  I  could  not  pass 
them  by." 

He  pretended  to  shiver. 

"  You  make  me  tremble,  farmer,  for  your  lov- 
ers." 

"  Lovers !  I  think  your  lordship  has  disposed  of 
both.  The  one,  you  say,  is  to  be  my  brother.  The 
other  I  know  to  be  my  friend." 

"  Friendship  is  a  first  step  sometimes " 

"  And  the  last,  my  lord,  sometimes." 
186 


The  King's  Agent 

Marlborough  stopped  swinging  his  cane,  with  a 
short  laugh,  and  Isabel  looked  up,  puzzled. 

"  Your  pardon,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  Nothing,  Farmer  Isabel.  I  was  but  a-laughing 
at  my  own  simplicity  and  the  shallowness  of  my  per- 
ceptions." 

Isabel  flushed  all  over,  but  she  tried  to  laugh  too. 

"  Your  perceptions  are  as  deep,  my  lord,  as  any 
man's  or  woman's  nature  goes.  Pray  what  have  you 
perceived  ?  " 

"  That  you  whom  I  have  treated  as  a  child  are  in 
reality  a  woman — a  woman  of  the  world — Mistress 
Isabel  Fretchville."  He  deepened  his  voice  to  a  tone 
of  profound  respect  and  made  her  a  courtly  bow.  "  I 
crave  your  forgiveness  and  acknowledge,  with  all  im- 
aginable humbleness,  that  I  have  misjudged  you." 

Isabel  interrupted  him.  "  I  cry  your  lordship 
mercy,  but  I  cannot  endure  this  bitter  kind  of  jesting. 
How  have  I  displeased  you  ?  " 

Her  voice  was  full  of  keen  reproach,  and  there  were 
tears  in  her  eyes.  Marlborough's  face  grew  gentle 
at  once. 

"  Displeasure,  child !  I  am  but  displeased  at  my 
own  dulness  concerning  Mr.  Hugh  Montgomery,  and 
tender  full  apologies." 

Isabel  bit  her  lip,  but  did  not  lower  her  eyes. 

"  And  why,  my  lord,  should  you  apologize  to  me  ?  " 

"  Because  I  forgot  that  this  young  gentleman  had 
ten  thousand  pound  a  year." 

Marlborough  spoke  coolly  and  cheerfully,  but  his 
eyes  were  watchful.  The  colour  in  Isabel's  face  died 
out. 

"  I  can  not  fail  to  understand  your  lordship,"  she 
said  in  a  dry  hard  tone.    "  It  is  your  belief  then  that 
I  shall  marry  Mr.  Montgomery  for  his  fortune." 
13  187 


The  King's  Agent 

Maryborough  raised  his  eyebrows.  "  Nay,  my  dear 
Isabel,  I  go  no  such  lengths  as  marriage;  unless,  in- 
deed, without  my  knowledge  you  are  betrothed  al- 
ready ;  and  that  I  do  not  believe." 

"  I  thank  your  lordship  for  so  much  confidence." 

"  I  have  perfect  confidence.    Poor  Brownker !  " 

He  muttered  the  last  words  aside,  with  a  sigh.  Isa- 
bel's throat  was  dry  and  her  eyes  were  smarting,  but 
there  were  no  tears  in  them  now. 

"  It  is  right  you  should  know  what  passed,  my 
lord,  between  Mr.  Montgomery  and  me." 

"  That  is  as  you  please,  Isabel." 

"  You  are  my  guardian,  my  lord." 

"  By  your  condescension  I  assume  the  title  when  I 
think  it  is  for  your  advantage,  but  I  claim  no  authority 
and  have  none." 

"  You  have  full  authority,"  Isabel  cried  warmly. 
"  Even  if  I  had  yielded  to  Mr.  Montgomery's  impor- 
tunity— which  I  did  not — and  had  loved  him  as  he 
says  that  he  loves  me,  I  should  have  refused  to 
think  of  marriage  until  he  had  obtained  your  full  con- 
sent." 

"  Be  careful,  be  careful,"  Marlborough  said,  smil- 
ing deprecatingly.  "  You  will  say  next,  child,  you  are 
willing  to  marry  any  man  that  I  may  recommend." 

He  had  taken  her  hand  again,  and  in  his  eyes  there 
was  shrewd  inquiry.  Isabel  looked  up  fearlessly. 

"  A  man,  my  lord,  commended  by  you,  should  be 
everything  that  I  could  wish  for  in  a  husband — when 
I  desire  to  marry.  Without  your  approval  I  would 
refuse  an  archangel." 

Marlborough  pressed  her  hand. 

"  I  thank  you,  child,"  he  said  gravely.  "  I  will  con- 
fess that  I  have  been  asked  for  my  consent  by  two  gen- 
tlemen. I  have  not  given  it,  wishing  to  see  you  first. 

188 


The  King's  Agent 

Now  I  will  ask  this  much  of  you — that  you  grant  no 
further  favour  or  encouragement  to  either  until  I  am 
able  to  send  word  which  I  think  more  worthy,  and  my 
reasons.  Is  that  too  hard  a  measure  ?  " 

"  Indeed,  no,"  Isabel  said  simply.  "  I  trust  you. 
But  there  is  no  danger.  Mr.  Montgomery  went  away 
of  his  own  will.  Karl,  I  dismissed." 

There  were  steps  in  the  garden — quick,  hasty 
steps.  The  gate  was  flung  open  and  one  of  the  serv- 
ants ran  down  the  walk  with  a  letter  in  his  hand. 

"  A  messenger  has  rid  from  London,  my  lord,"  the 
man  said  breathlessly,  "  and  should  return  with  a  re- 
ply to-night." 

Marlborough  looked  at  the  letter  curiously,  and 
Isabel  noticed  that  the  direction  on  it  was  written  in 
a  woman's  hand.  When  it  was  torn  open,  several 
closely  written  sheets  appeared,  at  which  the  earl 
sighed  dolefully. 

"  Timothy,  begone  to  the  messenger  and  bid  him 
to  the  kitchen  to  refresh ;  and  see  you  his  horse  is 
baited."  Then  as  the  man  went  off  he  added  as  if  to 
himself,  "  Mistress  Montgomery  has  much  to  say.  My 
faith,  I  must  peruse  it  at  leisure  in  my  library."  He 
stood  a  moment,  however,  and  glanced  down  the 
page,  and  Isabel  saw  that  his  hand  tightened  on  the 
paper. 

"  It  is  a  summons  to  London,"  he  said  quietly. 
"  Be  so  good  as  to  see  that  my  things  are  all  in  or- 
der. I  must  start  to-night.  Tell  no  one  whither  I 
am  gone." 

Isabel  sighed. 

"  So  soon !    But,  at  least,  the  countess  will  rejoice." 

Marlborough  folded  the  letter  up  and  looked  at  it 
thoughtfully. 

"  I  shall  not  see  the  countess — at  least  for  a  few 
189 


The  King's  Agent 

days.  This  business  is  political  and  secret.  If  any 
letter  comes  from  my  dear  soul  or  from  the  princess, 
send  it  by  messenger  to  the  St.  James's  Club.  Now  I 
must  haste." 

He  strode  off  quickly  to  the  house. 


190 


CHAPTER  XXI 

THE  morning  after  Marlborough's  summons  to 
London  Karl  Brownker  dressed  himself  with  peculiar 
care.  In  most  things  a  frugal  person,  he  spent  large 
sums  on  dress.  His  attentions  to  the  fair  sex  were  part- 
ly the  cause  of  this,  but  had  he  never  wooed  a  court 
lady,  he  must  have  been  always  well  attired.  It  was  the 
nature  of  the  man  to  take  pains  to  excel ;  and  to  be 
careful  and  particular  in  everything  pertaining  to  his 
person.  His  peruke,  which  he  had  adopted  out  of  com- 
pliment to  his  master,  though  most  of  the  court  gallants 
still  wore  their  own  hair,  was  a  masterpiece  of  its  kind, 
and  suited  to  a  nicety  his  sallow,  cadaverous  face,  re- 
moving much  of  the  heaviness  of  his  features.  His 
coat,  cut  by  the  best  tailor  in  town,  was  of  the  latest 
French  fashion,  and  a  great  contrast  to  the  large- 
flapped,  broad-skirted  garments  affected  by  the  Dutch 
noblemen  and  by  William  himself.  This  subject  of 
dress  was  the  only  one  upon  which  the  King  and  his 
agent  disagreed. 

Karl  breakfasted  at  seven,  wrote  letters,  inter- 
viewed three  people  on  important  business,  and  then 
rang  for  his  valet.  It  was  now  eight  o'clock. 

"  I  shall  be  out  until  noon,  Chinnic.  If  Mr.  Mont- 
gomery calls  in  my  absence,  inform  him  I  am  about 
his  business,  and  will  meet  him  at  six  of  the  clock  at 
the  club.  How  is  the  Parson?" 

"  Out  of  danger,  sir,  and  urgent  in  his  prayers  for 
a  visit  from  you." 

191 


The  King's  Agent 

Brownker  smiled. 

"  Tell  him  that  this  will  come  about  sooner  than  he 
wishes,  but  that  first  he  must  make  more  blood — to 
lose." 

Chinnic  grinned  sympathetically. 

"  I  have  told  him  so  until  he  gnaws  his  fingers  to 
the  bone.  You  would  not  know  the  man.  His  hair  is 
turning  white." 

Brownker  nodded  approvingly. 

"  Keep  the  leeches  on  him  another  day  or  two. 
Then  I  will  see  him."  He  drew  on  his  gloves.  "  If 
Lord  Marlborough  calls,  remember  I  am  with  the 
King." 

Chinnic  bowed,  and  his  master  leisurely  went  out. 
A  diminutive  groom  was  at  the  door,  holding  with 
great  difficulty  a  powerful  horse  with  a  Roman  nose 
and  a  wicked  eye.  This  horse  Brownker  mounted 
lightly,  the  creature  becoming  obedient  at  once  when 
he  felt  his  master's  hand. 

"  Oons,"  panted  the  little  groom  to  the  footman 
at  the  door.  "  See  that !  There's  witchcraft  there. 
This  devil  nigh  tore  my  arms  to  pieces  and  now  he'd 
lap  milk.  'Odds  foot,  I  wish  the  brute  was  dead !  " 

The  footman  smiled  the  superior  smile  of  his  race. 

"  Which  brute  ?  "  he  said,  and  closed  the  door. 

Mr.  Brownker  did  not  go  to  St.  James's  Palace. 
He  rode  westward  until  the  streets  of  St.  James's  gave 
way  to  larger  detached  houses ;  these  to  market  gar- 
dens, and  these  to  open  fields.  The  horse  was  fresh, 
and  the  day  was  bright,  but  Brownker's  face  was 
thoughtful  and  he  rode  slowly.  He  had  begun  a  cam- 
paign a  few  days  ago,  and  launched  himself  into  a  life 
or  death  encounter  with  the  cleverest  man  in  Eng- 
land. He  was  confident  of  success,  but  he  was  far  too 
wide-awake  not  to  count  beforehand,  and  weigh  can- 

192 


The  King's  Agent 

didly,  all  the  dangers  and  difficulties  which  lay  in  the 
path. 

Marlborough's  name,  though  not  world-wide  as 
yet,  was  known  in  every  European  court,  and  in  all 
calculations  made  by  William's  enemies  and  William's 
friends,  Marlborough's  personality  counted  for  more 
than  that  of  any  other.  Brownker  knew  this,  and, 
what  was  more,  he  appreciated  as  few  others  did  the 
energy  which  lay  behind  Marlborough's  quiet  exte- 
rior, and  the  swiftness  of  action  of  which  his  calm 
brain  was  capable.  All  this,  as  his  own  plans  devel- 
oped, Karl  knew  that  he  would  have  to  reckon  with, 
and  he  did  not  doubt  that  it  would  take  all  his  strength 
and  wit  to  carry  those  plans  through.  Yet  he  was 
confident,  for  he  held  trump  cards.  Not  the  least  of 
these  was  Hugh  Montgomery,  and  to-day,  as  Karl 
rode  westward  by  the  river,  he  began  his  musings  by 
considering  how  Hugh  should  be  played.  But  that  re- 
flection did  not  hold  him  very  long.  The  manipulation 
of  such  a  man  as  this  was  a  bagatelle ;  with  his  open 
nature  Hugh  was  like  an  instrument  the  notes  of  which 
Brownker  knew  by  heart.  Of  more  importance  by 
far,  and  of  greater  difficulty,  was  the  person  whom  he 
was  now  on  his  way  to  see,  and  whose  fingers  must 
be  trained  to  perform  not  only  upon  Hugh  but  on 
Marlborough  as  well. 

Thinking  of  this,  Karl  reached  his  destination,  the 
village  of  Chelsea.  At  the  principal  inn  there  he  dis- 
mounted, and  answering  with  a  curt  nod  the  obse- 
quious salutation  of  the  innkeeper,  he  refused  refresh- 
ment and  walked  briskly  away  on  foot.  Leaving  the 
road  to  Chiswick  and  Staines  he  turned  to  the  right 
up  a  country  lane,  which  after  many  twists  brought 
him  to  a  stone  wall,  moss-grown  and  very  old,  some 
eight  or  nine  feet  high.  Behind  the  wall  were  trees, 

193 


The  King's  Agent 

and  a  long,  low  house,  of  which  the  roof  and  chim- 
neys were  just  visible — a  house  which  looked  like  some 
old  nunnery  or  monastery,  so  secluded  and  shut  out 
was  it  from  the  haunts  of  men. 

A  monastery,  indeed,  the  place  had  once  been. 
It  was  known,  even  now,  by  the  name  of  the  Abbey 
House,  but  though  its  inmates  lived — for  good  and  suf- 
ficient reasons — a  secluded  life,  the  monasticism  of  the 
place  was  but  an  outer  shell  which  contained  a  kernel 
of  another  kind. 

At  the  door,  studded  with  nails,  and  of  severest  as- 
pect, Karl  paused,  and  gave  a  sharp,  powerful  pull  at 
the  bell.  Far  away  came  a  hollow  cling-clang  followed 
by  the  hoarse  baying  of  mastiffs.  An  interval  of  si- 
lence followed,  which  was  too  long  for  Brownker's 
patience,  and  then  a  heavy,  measured  tread  on  the 
other  side  of  the  door,  and  through  a  grating  a  pair 
of  eyes  sharply  inspected  the  caller. 

"  Open,  Pat,"  Brownker  said  impatiently.  "  Would 
you  keep  me  here  all  day  ?  " 

A  clash  of  bolts,  and  the  door  swung  back. 

"  Sure,  your  honour,"  answered  a  deep  voice,  "  it's 
the  toimes — the  onaisy  toimes  that  is  inhospitable,  not 
me." 

The  speaker  was  an  immensely  big  man,  in  a  faded, 
threadbare  livery.  He  had  a  shock  of  stiff  black  hair, 
and  a  broad  humorous  Irish  face,  which  looked  as  if 
Nature  had  intended,  in  the  first  instance,  to  have  given 
him  a  frank  and  open  aspect,  and  then  suddenly 
changed  her  mind.  For  his  eyes  were  small  and 
shifty. 

"The  lady  Susan  Montgomery  at  home?" 

"  Pinin'  for  a  sight  of  ye  indade ! " 

"The  Mistress  Marie?" 

"  Waitin'  like  a  flower  for  the  sun,  yer  honour." 
194 


The  King's  Agent 

* 

They  were  walking  down  a  long  covered  stone  pas- 
sage which  led  from  the  outer  door  to  the  house.  Half- 
way Brownker  touched  the  big  servant  with  the  end  of 
his  riding-whip. 

"  The  news !  "  he  said  in  a  whisper. 

"  Not  a  ha'porth,"  was  the  reply. 

"  The  news,  I  say,  from  France."  Brownker  spoke 
slowly  and  distinctly. 

The  Irishman  scratched  his  head  with  a  puzzled  air. 
"  Why,  yes,  there  was  a  messenger  came  yesterday, 
but  not  a  word  of  interest  could  I  wring  from  him, 
bedad !  King  James  is  eager,  sez  he,  and  King  Louis 
is  not,  sez  he,  and  so  the  talk  is  big,  and  the  doin's 
nowt,  sez  he." 

"  I  hear  rumours  that  an  invasion  has  been 
planned  ?  " 

Patrick  smiled  a  childlike  smile  of  admiration. 

"  Sure,  if  your  honour  says  so  it  must  be  so.  Ye're 
always  right.  I  have  heard  the  same  myself,  now  I 
come  to  think." 

"  Well,  then,  sirrah !  "  Brownker's  face  became 
sharp  and  eager. 

"  Well,  then,  your  honour,"  was  the  cheerful  an- 
swer. "  Let  us  pray  King  James  will  soon  be  here ; 
but,  bedad,  his  Majesty — the  Lord  protect  him  ! — has 
been  invading  England  this  two  years  past,  and  has 
not  landed  yet." 

Brownker  looked  at  the  Irishman  stonily  a  mo- 
ment, then  turned  away  with  a  shrug  which  might 
mean  anything,  and  without  waiting  to  be  announced 
strode  up  a  flight  of  stone  steps  and  tapped  at  a  door 
where  a  sharp,  tremulous  voice  said  "  Enter,"  and  he 
vanished  from  Pat's  view. 

The  big  servant  stood  looking  after  him,  and  then 
slowly  and  deliberately  raised  a  huge  fist  and  shook  it. 

195 


The  King's  Agent 

"A  curse  on  ye,  ye  Protestant  rat!  Ye  Dutch 
grindstone !  Did  ye  think  you'd  twist  it  out  of  me — 
did  ye?  Nay,  nay,  if  she  tells  she  tells,  but  I'll  be 
drawn,  and  racked,  and  broken  on  the  wheel  before 
I  tell." 

In  the  room  above  Brownker  was  kissing  the  hand 
of  a  little  old  lady  with  bright  bird-like  eyes,  dressed 
in  the  fashion  of  half  a  century  before  and  surrounded 
by  its  reminiscences.  Her  hands  sparkled  with  rings. 
Her  face  was  covered  with  paint  and  powder,  and  on 
a  velvet  cushion  near  a  fire,  which  made  the  room  in- 
tolerably close,  lay  a  pair  of  fat  King  Charles  spaniels. 

Yet  there  was  evidence  in  this  room  of  desperate 
poverty.  The  covers  of  the  chairs,  once  handsome  and 
of  great  price,  were  dropping  to  pieces  with  age ;  the 
carpet  was  full  of  holes,  and  the  very  dress  the  old 
lady  wore  had  been  turned  and  trimmed  half  a  dozen 
times,  and  was  now  approaching  the  last  stage  of  dis- 
solution. 

Mr.  Brownker  bowed  with  an  appearance  of  pro- 
found respect. 

"  Your  ladyship's  most  humble  servant." 

"  My  dear  Karl,"  she  said  graciously,  "  I  am 
pleased  to  see  ye.  But  the  salute — the  salute." 

He  was  looking  round  the  room  as  if  searching  for 
some  one.  At  these  words  he  turned  to  a  portrait  on 
the  wall  and  bowed  low  to  it. 

"  God  save  his  Majesty  King  James !  "  he  said  sol- 
emnly. 

The  old  lady  curtsied  to  the  portrait  herself,  lower- 
ing her  eyes  as  if  she  were  in  the  presence  of  royalty. 

"  May  he  soon  enjoy  his  own  again,"  she  cried. 
"  Amen." 

There  was  an  earnestness  in  her  voice  and  simple 
'dignity  in  her  manner  which  made  the  little  ceremony, 

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The  King's  Agent 

evidently  a  custom  of  the  house,  impressive,  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that  the  portrait  was  a  most  detestable  daub, 
and  that  her  ladyship's  own  face  was  highly  rouged 
and  tinted  after  the  manner  of  faded  beauties  of  the 
Restoration  days. 

"  You  are  looking  for  Marie,"  she  said  sharply,  as 
his  eyes  again  wandered  around  the  room.  "  She  will 
be  here  when  she  can  leave  the  kitchen.  We  must 
cook — to  eat." 

"  The  Mistress  Montgomery's  cooking,"  Brown- 
ker  said  sweetly,  "  would  tempt  a  king  to  eat." 

The  old  lady  gave  a  cackling  laugh. 

"  'Odds  my  life,  young  man,  keep  your  compli- 
ments until  she  comes.  You'll  need  'em  all.  She  does 
not  like  you,  Karl." 

"  I  rest  on  your  ladyship's  favour." 

"  And  indeed  you  may,  while  you  are  true  to  his 
most  gracious  Majesty.  And  why  have  you  not 
brought  my  nephew,  Hugh  Montgomery?" 

She  spoke  sharply  and  eagerly. 

"  He  will  pay  his  respects  on  my  next  visit," 
Brownker  replied. 

"  'Odds  my  life,  is  this  his  conversion  to  true  loy- 
alty ?  But  he  has  not  recanted !  Do  not  tell  me  that." 

"Alas !  dear  Lady  Susan,  William  has  seen  him.  I 
must  be  wary.  Precipitation  would  ruin  everything. 
But  I  will  bring  my  friend,  and  I  trust  with  your  in- 
fluence and  your  fair  daughter's " 

He  stopped  speaking  and  bowed  low.  In  the  door- 
way some  one  stood  listening.  She  had  come  so  quiet- 
ly that  Lady  Susan  Montgomery,  who  was  a  little  deaf, 
did  not  understand  why  Brownker  paused.  Then,  see- 
ing her  daughter,  she  laughed  coarsely. 

"  Chide  him  now,  Marie,  chide  him  soundly.  He 
has  broken  his  word  again,  this  loving  friend  of  yours, 

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The  King's  Agent 

and  come  alone.  'Odds  my  life,  I  guess  he's  jealous 
of  poor  Hugh.  Confess,  master,  that  Hugh  is  hand- 
somer than  you." 

"  Far  handsomer,"  he  sighed. 

Her  ladyship  clapped  her  hands. 

"  Call  me  a  witch  then — I'll  not  deny  it.  Ha,  ha, 
ha !  But  I  have  found  you  out,  old  fox.  You  fear  a 
younger  rival." 

"  Your  ladyship  shall  now  see  an  earnest  of  your 
nephew's  homage  and  my  good  intentions."  He  put 
his  hand  to  his  breast,  at  which  the  Lady  Susan's  eyes 
glistened  and  her  breath  came  quickly.  When  he 
took  out  a  pocket-book,  and  from  the  book  took  a 
sheet  of  paper,  she  cried  feverishly : 

"  That  is  a  bill  of  money !  Good  nephew  Hugh,  a 
rebel  and  heretic  he  may  be,  but  a  lad  of  feeling — true 
feeling — and  affection." 

Brownker  unfolded  the  bill  very  slowly. 

"  One  hundred  pounds,  madam,  which " 

Lady  Susan  did  not  wait  for  further  words,  but 
snatched  hungrily  at  the  bill.  Another  hand,  however, 
was  before  hers. 

"  You  mistake,  mother,"  said  a  deep  contralto 
voice,  "  it's  for  the  King." 

Marie  Montgomery  took  the  bill  as  she  spoke, 
and  placed  it  in  her  dress.  Her  ladyship  stamped  her 
foot  with  rage. 

"  You  thief,  you  ingrate.  You  unnatural  beast,  you 
— give  me  the  money.  Karl,  it  is  mine ;  take  it  from 
her.  Use  violence  with  her,  do  what  you  will  to  her, 
but  get  me  that  money — the  money — the  money !  " 

Her  voice  rose  to  a  scream,  while  the  girl  stood 
perfectly  still,  calm  and  contemptuous,  and  Brownker 
observed  both  faces  watchfully. 

"  I  hold  the  money  for  his  Majesty  to  save  it  from 
198 


The  King's  Agent 

being  lost  at  ombre,"  the  girl  said  in  a  cold,  monoto- 
nous voice. 

"  You  lie,  you ! "  Lady  Susan  cried  viciously. 
"  You  hold  it  to  spend  on  yourself,  while  your  mother 
goes  beggared,  starved,  naked.  Oh,  that  I  were  strong 
enough  to  beat  you — wretch !  " 

"  Mother,  control  yourself — at  least  before  a 
stranger." 

"  Stranger !  Ha,  ha,  ha !  Karl  a  stranger !  You 
hussy,  do  you  think  I  don't  know  that  though  you  pre- 
tend to  my  face  to  treat  him  like  a  queen,  behind  my 
back  you " 

"  Your  ladyship  must  calm  yourself." 

Brownker  spoke  in  a  tone  which  admitted  of  no 
contradiction.  "  The  money  is  for  King  James,"  he 
went  on,  "  and  Mistress  Marie,  as  his  Majesty's  agent, 
must  keep  it.  But  I  have  a  private  gift  for  you." 

He  took  a  purse  and  placed  ten  guineas  in  her  hand. 

"  And  now,  dearest  lady,  I  have  matters  of  state 
importance  to  discuss  with  your  daughter.  I  beg  you 
will  withdraw.  I  ask  the  favour  in  the  martyr's  name." 
He  bowed  to  another  portrait  on  the  wall,  a  portrait  of 
Charles  I. 

The  Lady  Susan's  face,  which  had  been  forbidding 
enough,  changed  its  expression  at  once  at  the  chink 
of  the  money. 

"  In  the  name  of  that  dear  saint,"  she  cried  fervent- 
ly, "  you  may  ask  me  anything.  I  will  leave  you.  But 
you  will  come  again  and  bring  my  nephew.  Promise." 

"  I  promise,  on  my  honour,  madam." 

He  had  led  her  to  the  door.  Now  he  kissed  her 
hand  and  laid  his  own  upon  his  heart. 

"You  will  trust  me?" 

"  With  my  life,"  she  said  tremulously.  "  You  hold 
it,  Karl,  and  hers,  and  all  we  have,  within  your  hands. 

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The  King's  Agent 

We  could  not  have  lived  but  for  your  bounty  and  your 
loyalty  to  our  most  gracious  master.  'Odds  my  life, 
I  do  trust  you  absolutely."  She  curtsied  to  him  and 
left  the  room. 

Karl,  with  the  impatient  sigh  of  one  who  has  lis- 
tened to  a  sermon,  shut  the  door  and  locked  it. 

"  That  was  well  done,"  he  said  in  a  light  mocking 
tone,  "  though  it  has  cost  ten  guineas." 

"  The  guineas  are  not  yours." 

"  Indeed,  no." 

"  My  cousin's  ?  " 

"  And  my  friend." 

"  Your  victim." 

Brownker  came  slowly  towards  her,  then  sat  down 
upon  a  couch  and  leant  back  lazily. 

"  Why  are  you  cross  to-day  ?  " 

"  I  am  always  cross  now." 

"  You  do  not  always  receive  a  hundred  pounds." 

"  That  will  not  so  much  as  pay  my  card  debts." 

"  I  wonder  why,"  said  Karl  pensively,  "  ladies  with 
such  slender  means  lose  such  large  sums  at  cards." 

"  Why  do  men  get  drunk  ?  Why  do  you  look  at 
me  to-day  with  a  devil's  leer?  Why  has  every  one  a 
temptation  he  cannot  resist?  Worst  of  all,  why  does 
the  time  come  when  we  suddenly  hate  ourselves  for 
it,  when  we  could  kill  ourselves  with  shame,  when  we 
— O  God !  Karl,  why  did  I  ever  let  you  come  within 
this  house  ?  "  She  covered  her  face  with  her  hands  as 
if  to  shut  out  the  smile  with  which  he  was  regarding 
her. 

Karl  comfortably  crossed  his  legs. 

"  Because  I  gave  you  what  you  needed,  money ; 
and  her  ladyship,  your  mother,  money,  together  with 
a  pretended  loyalty  to  a  pretending  king.  My  faith, 
madam,  you  carry  matters  very  high  with  your  poor 

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The  King's  Agent 

mother.  She  would  turn  me  out,  did  she  deem  me 
a  traitor  to  King  James.  But  with  you  I  have  had 
no  need  to  pretend  the  least.  So  long  as  I  had  but 
love  to  offer  you,  you  scorned  me,  but  since  money 
has  glistened  in  my  hand  you  have  refused  me  noth- 
ing." 

"  How  well  it  becomes  you  to  be  my  judge !  " 

"  As  well  as  it  becomes  your  complexion  to  be 
angry,  and  that  is  marvellously.  When  next  your  por- 
trait is  attempted — if  you  will  take  my  advice — get 
angry  before  every  sitting.  The  man  will  then  paint 
you  a  picture,  and  a  very  handsome  one." 

He  laughed,  showing  all  his  teeth.  Yet  he  meant 
what  he  said.  Standing  there  in  the  bright  morning 
light  Marie  Montgomery  was  a  picture  of  form  and 
colour  such  as  the  greatest  artist  living  might  have 
longed  to  paint.  She  had  rich  auburn  hair,  a  com- 
plexion pure  and  spotless ;  gray  eyes  that  languished, 
shone,  or  flashed  responsive  to  her  mood,  and  a  fig- 
ure perfect  in  proportion,  if  a  trifle  full — large,  com- 
manding— the  incarnation  of  sensuous  grace  and  sym- 
metry. 

Her  eyes  were  flashing  now,  her  bosom  heaving. 

"  You  fiend !  "  she  hissed.  "  You  devil !  Is  it  not 
enough  to  bring  me  down  to  this,  but  you  must  taunt 
and  torture  me  as  well !  " 

Brownker  raised  his  head  from  the  indolent  atti- 
tude he  had  assumed  with  a  look  of  genuine  surprise. 

"  Since  I  have  had  the  honour  of  your  friendship, 
madam,  I  have  never  known  you  despise  a  compli- 
ment." 

"  A  blow  would  be  the  lesser  insult  from  such  a 
one  as  you." 

Brownker  looked  at  her  fixedly  a  moment.  Then 
his  manner  changed. 

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The  King's  Agent 

"  Come  here ! "  he  said,  pointing  to  the  couch  be- 
side him.  He  spoke  as  a  master  speaks  to  a  dog  that 
has  been  disobedient. 

She  did  not  move. 

"  Give  me  your  hand." 

She  placed  both  behind  her  back. 

He  rose  from  the  couch,  as  a  cat  rises  to  spring 
upon  a  mouse.  But  at  the  motion  Marie  stepped  back 
and  seized  a  bell-rope. 

"  Touch  me,  and  Patrick  shall  throw  you  out  of 
window." 

They  looked  at  each  other  with  parted  lips,  like 
two  animals. 

"  The  reason  for  this  madness  ?  "  Brownker  said  at 
last.  "  Quick,  or  it  will  be  too  late." 

She  gave  a  mocking  laugh. 

"  What,  you  threaten  a  Montgomery!  How  stupid 
you  have  grown !  Cousin  Hugh  taught  you  better 
manners  at  the  St.  James's  Club." 

"  Be  careful,"  he  replied  in  a  whisper.  "  Your  rea- 
son, I  say?" 

"  Can  you  not  see  ?  I  have  grown  tired  of 
you." 

"  I  see — I  see  all  now."  He  turned  away  coolly 
and  took  a  pinch  of  snuff. 

Marie's  eyes  became  uneasy,  and  the  hand  which 
grasped  the  bell-rope  trembled ;  but  her  mouth  lost 
nothing  of  its  mockery  and  determination. 

"  What  do  you  see,  Sir  Wizard.  I  will  stake  my 
soul  you  are  lying — but  tell  me." 

Brownker  closed  his  snuff-box  leisurely  and  sank 
back  again  upon  the  couch. 

"  I  see — John,  Earl  of  Marlborough." 

At  this  name  she  shuddered  as  some  creature  shud- 
ders when  stabbed  by  the  hunter's  knife. 

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The  King's  Agent 

"How  know  you  that?"  she  whispered.  "How 
can  you  know  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  know,"  he  said  pleasantly.  "  It  was  a 
guess — a  key  thrust  into  a  strange  lock ;  but  now,  the 
door  is  open." 


14  203 


CHAPTER   XXII 

ALL  the  defiance  and  aggressiveness  in  Marie's 
bearing  disappeared. 

She  dropped  the  bell-rope  and  covered  her  face 
with  her  hands.  But  Brownker  took  no  advantage  of 
this  to  approach  nearer  to  her. 

"  Marlborough !  "  he  said  in  a  thoughtful  tone. 
"  So  he  is  my — successor  ?  " 

Marie  raised  her  head. 

"  Do  not  compare  yourself  to  the  Earl  of  Marlbor- 
ough." 

"  I  do  not,"  he  replied  imperturbably.  "  I  have 
been  faithful  to  one  king  while  his  lordship  has  sworn 
fealty  to  two,  and  betrayed  them  both." 

"  Liar !  He  gave  up  James  only  because  of  his 
religion.  William  dismissed  him." 

"  Yes,"  said  Brownker,  smiling.  "  He  received  val- 
uable information  from  an  agent  of  King  James." 

"  I  have  never  betrayed  Lord  Churchill  by  one 
word." 

"  No,"  he  said,  "  it  was  not  you.  And  now,  sit 
here,  beside  me." 

He  pointed  to  the  couch,  as  he  had  done  once  be- 
fore, and  this  time  she  obeyed.  But  he  gave  her  no 
caress.  Leaning  forward,  he  simply  looked  steadily 
into  her  eyes.  The  movement  had  a  curious  effect. 
The  muscles  of  her  hands,  which  had  been  tightly 
clinched,  relaxed.  The  hot,  angry  colour  in  her  face 

204 


The  King's  Agent 

died  away,  her  whole  figure  drooped,  until  mentally 
and  physically  she  seemed  to  have  lost  all  strength  and 
will. 

"  We  will  now  talk,"  he  said  in  a  hard,  even  tone. 
"  You  have  loved  my  Lord  of  Marlborough  some  long 
time." 

"  Since  I  was  seventeen." 

"  You  must  have  been  very  pretty  at  seventeen." 

She  gave  a  quick  shake  of  the  head. 

"  You  mistake.  He  never  loved  me.  It  was  his 
brother,  George  Churchill." 

"And  George?" 

"  Would  have  betrayed  me.  He  was  a  handsome 
sailor — I  a  tall,  forward  girl,  just  out  of  convent.  My 
mother — well,  you  know  my  mother.  Even  then  it 
was  cards,  cards,  cards,  from  night  till  morning,  from 
morning  until  night,  and  my  father  was  abroad.  I 
had  no  one  to  protect  me,  teach,  or  tell  me  anything. 
I  never  had,  and  so  I  should  have  fallen  like  a  half- 
fledged  sparrow  from  a  nest,  but  for  my  dear  lord." 

"  Tell  me  what  he  did." 

"  What  did  he  not  ?  Yet  it  was  his  wife  who  dis- 
covered what  was  in  the  wind.  I  owe  her  that,  at  least. 
She  has  sharp  eyes,  and  never  loved  his  brother.  She 
told  my  lord,  and  the  day  when  George  and  I  were 
to  have  run  away  together,  I  found  at  the  trysting- 
place — his  brother.  I  was  angry,  mad.  You  know 
a  little  of  my  temper.  I  raged  like  any  fiend  at  him. 
But  by  degrees  he  calmed  me,  and  with  his  courtesy 
and  wisdom,  and  above  all,  his  dignity  and  gentleness, 
he  brought  me  to  myself,  roused  in  me  the  woman- 
hood which  had  not  then  been  poisoned  by  the  world, 
and  poverty,  and  you — and  saved  me  from  myself.  Af- 
terward, to  stop  all  scandal,  for  the  world  had  talked, 
my  lady  asked  me  to  stay  with  them ;  and  though,  at 

205 


The  King's  Agent 

last,  she  came  almost  to  blows  with  me,  yet  she  was 
kind  in  her  own  way,  and  he — I  do  not  believe  since 
the  world  began,  a  truer  gentleman  has  lived  than 
Marlborough.  I  loved  him  for  it  from  my  soul — I 
love  him  still.  And  now,  and  now  " — her  voice  broke 
— "  in  your  hands  I  am  to  be  the  means  of  luring  him 
to  ruin — death.  But  I  will  not,  I  will  not,  though  you 
kill  me.  I  will  not." 

Her  voice  rose  in  intensity  with  every  word,  and 
she  crouched  no  longer.  Brownker  swiftly  laid  his 
hand  upon  her  wrist. 

"  You  will  do  my  bidding,  as  you  have  always  done. 
But  I  do  not  wish  Marlborough's  ruin,  so  you  will 
do  it  willingly.  Indeed,  after  what  you  say,  I  shall  but 
dread  that  you  will  be  too  impatient  for  the  end." 

She  shook  herself  free,  passionately.  "  Your  end 
for  him  is  the  Tower — the  block." 

"  Ay,  all  that,  if  he  will  not  fly  to  France  with  you." 

Marie's  eyes  opened  to  the  fullest  width;  a  dark 
spot  of  colour  flashed  into  both  her  cheeks,  and  her 
teeth  closed. 

"  You  do  not  mean  that.  You  are  playing  with 
me?" 

He  smiled  gently. 

"  Do  I  ever  play  with  fire  ?  I  am  in  earnest,  on 
my  word." 

"  That  was  why  you  made  me  write  to  him  ?  "  she 
cried  eagerly.  "  Oh,  you  are  deep,  deep !  But  " — 
with  a  catch  of  the  breath — "  I  do  not  believe  you^ 
word.  When  did  you  keep  your  word  to  a  woman? 
You  will  make  a  decoy  of  me ;  use  me  to  your  ends, 
and  then " 

Brownker  held  up  one  finger  and  frowned. 

"  Quiet !  How  you  waste  time !  Of  course  I  have 
my  ends  to  serve.  Marlborough  in  England  foments 

206 


The  King's  Agent 

treason  and  disturbance.  In  France  he  will  be  harm- 
less. In  France  they  talk  and  strut  and  threaten,  but 
they  do  not  act;  in  England  they  say  little,  but  are 
never  still.  William  has  discovered  a  plot  that  would 
throw  Marlborough  in  the  Tower  to-day,  but  he  would 
rather  put  him  beyond  sea.  Knowing  what  I  knew, 
or  guessed,  I  dictated  your  letter  to  my  lord.  At  least 
you  are  one  of  James's  agents.  Bring  me  his  reply." 

He  pointed  to  a  faded,  well-used  little  escritoire 
behind  her.  For  one  instant  she  hesitated.  The  col- 
our in  her  cheeks  grew  darker.  Her  hands  were  so 
tightly  clinched  that  blue  veins  showed  through  the 
white  skin.  Her  eyes,  half-closed,  shone  now  from 
under  their  long  lashes  with  a  curious  gleam.  But  it 
was  only  for  a  moment.  Slowly,  under  the  look  he 
gave  her  in  return,  her  head  drooped  and  her  hands 
relaxed  as  they  had  done  before.  Yet  this  time  after 
she  had  turned  away  there  was  a  smile  upon  her  lips. 
Without  a  word,  she  rose  and  unlocked  the  cabinet 
and  brought  the  letter.  Brownker  read  it  quickly. 

"  The  day  after  to-morrow.    He  wastes  no  time." 

"  Your  instructions,  pray." 

"  I  have  none." 

She  lowered  her  eyes. 

"  I  am  to  act — on  my  own  discretion  ?  " 

He  had  returned  the  letter  to  her,  and  she  was  now 
caressing  it  as  it  were  something  human. 

Brownker  gave  a  sudden  harsh  laugh. 

"  The  Lord  forbid !  " 

She  set  her  teeth. 

"You  think  I  have  none?" 

He  smiled,  with  an  expressive  shrug. 

"  I  am,  then,  to  persuade  him,"  she  said  slowly, 
"  that  it  is  to  his  interest  to  leave  England  ?  " 

"  You  are  to  offep  him  such  proof  in  writing,  and 
207 


The  King's  Agent 

by  word  of  mouth,  that  he  will  then  and  there  decide 
to  sail  with  you  to  France." 

"  This  may  be  impossible." 

"  In  that  case,"  Brownker  rose  with  a  polite  bow, 
"  I  will  see  another  lady  with  whom  my  Lord  Marl- 
borough  is  acquainted." 

"  Tell  me  what  to  do,"  she  said  quietly.  "  I  will 
do  anything  you  wish." 

A  curious  change  had  come  over  her  now.  Her 
nervous  tension  had  gone,  and  with  it  all  appearance 
of  dread  and  subservience  to  him.  Her  voice  was 
practical  in  tone,  and  business-like.  Brownker  ob- 
served her  approvingly. 

"  I  wish  you  to  exercise  your  wit,  and  bind  up 
your  sentiment.  Marlborough  has  no  sentiment.  He 
likes  a  pretty  woman,  but  he  loves  his  own  skin  better. 
You  have  authority  from  St.  Germains.  Use  it  freely. 
That  is  what  will  tell." 

"All  this  has  been  done,  but  he  will  not  stir  a  foot 
towards  France." 

Brownker  frowned,  and  seemed  to  fall  into  deep 
thought.  Marie  watched  him  under  her  eye-lashes. 

"  Suppose,"  he  said  slowly,  "  Marlborough  re- 
ceived a  letter  in  James's  hand,  confirming  the  mes- 
sage you  were  told  to  give  by  word  of  mouth — how 
then?" 

Marie  shook  her  head. 

"  He  knows  the  King's  writing  as  he  knows  his 
own." 

"  Leave  that  to  me.  I  say,  if  he  saw  a  letter  signed 
and  sealed — what  then  ?  " 

"  It  must  convince  him." 

"  Then  he  shall  have  it.  Not  to-morrow,  but  within 
a  week.  Tell  him  it  is  coming.  Rouse  his  curiosity 
and  desire.  Above  all,  make  him  feel  James  leans  on 

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The  King's  Agent 

him,  and  has  the  power,  or  will  have,  to  fulfil  his 
promises." 

A  curious  smile  played  about  Marie's  lips. 

"  I  will  do  that." 

He  took  up  his  hat  and  whip,  eying  her  medita- 
tively. 

"  Your  discretion,"  he  said,  "  has  returned  marvel- 
lously soon." 

"  You  have  done  that,"  she  answered  quickly. 
"  Be  sure  I  will  obey  you  in  every  word." 

"  Then  you  will  help  yourself  to  what  you  desire 
most."  And  he  went  to  the  door. 

"  When  shall  I  report  ?  "  she  asked,  drooping  her 
eyes  that  he  might  not  see  the  satisfaction  in  them — 
and  the  hope. 

"  To-morrow  evening  I  am  going  to  bring  your 
cousin  here.  I  will  tell  you  then." 

"He  knows?" 

"  He  knows  nothing,  but  that  you  are  an  agent  from 
St.  Germains,  and  Marlborough  in  treaty  with  you.  It 
would  be  fatal  if  he  knew  too  much." 

"  You  wish  me  to  be  kind  to  Hugh  ?  " 

Brownker  smiled  grimly. 

"  Madam,  he  is  young  and  well-looking.  He  has 
more  money  than  he  knows  what  to  do  with,  and  he 
is  fresh  as  grass.  Do  with  him  as  you  will,  and  spare 
him  not." 

Marie  smiled  maliciously. 

"  A  very  gold-mine,  then." 

"  Ay,  for  his  heart  is  as  soft  as  his  purse  is 
long.  Yet " — Brownker  pulled  himself  up,  and 
his  voice  changed — "  he  is  a  man  in  spite  of  all — a 
man." 

Marie,  left  alone,  stood  for  some  moments  mo- 
tionless, wrapped  in  thought;  then  she  raised 

209 


The  King's  Agent 

Maryborough's  letter  to  her  lips  and  kissed  and 
fondled  it. 

"  It  is  very  soon,"  she  whispered,  smiling.  "  A  day, 
a  night,  and  then " 

But  her  eyes  filled  with  tears. 


2IO 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

JUST  before  noon  on  the  day  after  Karl  Brownker's 
visit  to  the  Abbey  House,  Lady  Susan  Montgomery's 
Irish  servant,  Patrick  Egan,  heard  the  door-bell  ring, 
and  swore  a  round  Irish  oath.  Pat  was  in  a  bad  tem- 
per. He  had  entertained  some  friends  the  night  be- 
fore, and  drunk  more  wine  than  was  good  for  him. 
His  mistress  had  not  dared  to  speak  to  him  this  morn- 
ing. He  had  now  settled  himself  down  to  clean  har- 
ness, though  there  were  a  dozen  more  urgent  things 
that  needed  attention,  and  he  resented  this  disturbance 
of  the  bell.  But  there  was  no  help  for  it.  The  bell 
pealed  a  second  time,  and,  slowly  and  crossly,  Pat 
answered  it.  He  opened  the  door,  and  saw  a  gentle- 
man very  plainly  dressed. 

"  The  family's  out,"  he  growled. 

The  visitor,  Lord  Marlborough,  did  not  appear  in- 
terested in  this  announcement.  He  was  absorbed  in  a 
careful  inspection  of  the  speaker. 

"  You  are  looking  well,  sergeant." 

Patrick  started  violently.  His  knees  trembled,  and 
his  great  round  face  fell.  Then,  with  an  effort,  he 
straightened  himself  against  the  door-post  and  gave  a 
military  salute. 

"  Ye're  humble  sarvint,  my  lord.  Sure,  I  didn't — 
see." 

Marlborough  entered  the  hall  slowly,  looking  at 
211 


The  King's  Agent 

the  man  with  an  interest  Patrick  seemed  to  find  over- 
whelmingly embarrassing. 

"  No  doubt,"  he  rejoined.  "  We  have  both 
changed." 

Patrick  saluted  a  second  time  like  a  monkey  that 
has  learnt  the  trick.  His  teeth  were  chattering  in  his 
head,  and  his  red  face  had  become  a  ghastly  yellow. 

"  And,  sure,  whin  I  did  see  your  honour  it  was 
always  at  a  distance." 

Marlborough  held  up  his  finger,  and  Pat  stopped 
as  if  he  had  been  pricked  with  a  rapier. 

"  Five  years  ago  this  month,  Sergeant  Murphy,  I 
sentenced  you  to  death  by  hanging — as  a  spy." 

The  man  tried  to  speak,  to  tell  a  lie  his  quick  wit 
had  invented,  but  under  Marlborough's  eye  he  could 
not. 

"  You  escaped,"  the  earl  went  on,  "  by  bribing  two 
men.  Those  men  were  shot." 

He  paused  a  moment,  and  Patrick's  face  grew  paler 
and  more  ghastly  still. 

"  If  I  inform  the  justices " 

The  man  clasped  his  hands  in  an  agony.  "  For 
the  sake  av  God — "  Then  he  stopped  suddenly,  for  on 
the  stairs  within  the  house  he  heard  a  quick,  light  step. 

"  Pat !  "  cried  Marie's  voice  sharply,  "  why  do  you 
gossip  there  so  long?  " 

Then  she  came  out  into  the  hall,  saw  who  it  was, 
and  blushed  like  a  rose. 

"  Your  lordship's  pardon.  I  thought  my  servant 
was  talking  to  a  friend." 

Marlborough  smiled  pleasantly  at  Pat,  who  shud- 
dered. 

"  My  dear  madam,  we  are  old  acquaintances." 

"  That  is  a  high  honour  for  Patrick." 

"  He  deserved  a  higher  one."  Marlborough  was 
212 


The  King's  Agent 

now  looking  at  the  man  steadily.  "  But  he  served  his 
King  without  reward,  even  as  I  have  done,  and  now, 
like  good  comrades,  we  may,  perhaps,  serve  each 
other." 

The  man  caught  his  breath. 

"  Holy  Mother  of  Heaven !  "  he  cried.  "  Your 
lordship  may  count  upon  my  life  then." 

"  I  thank  you,  friend,"  was  the  quiet  reply,  and 
Marlborough  followed  Marie  upstairs. 

"  It  is  plain,"  Marie  said,  ushering  him  into  the 
room  above,  "  that  Pat,  like  myself,  is  in  your  lord- 
ship's debt.  I  shall  make  him  tell  me  all  about  it." 

Marlborough  smiled. 

"  He  will  not  tell  the  truth.  The  Lady  Susan,  I 
trust,  is  in  good  health  ?  " 

He  was  wondering  within  himself  whether  she 
would  come  in,  and  was  thankful  beyond  words  when 
Marie  replied  that  she  was  out  for  the  day.  There  was, 
perhaps,  some  truth  in  a  story  told  at  the  clubs,  that 
Lady  Susan  had  once  even  asked  Marlborough  to  lend 
her  money. 

"  I  desired  to  see  you,  my  lord,"  Marie  was  saying, 
"  as  my  letter  told,  on  business,  and  it  was  necessary 
we  should  be  alone." 

An  excitement  and  nervous  tension  were  growing 
upon  her  that  made  her  almost  breathless.  But  she 
fought  them  down.  She  would  need  all  her  nerve  and 
wit  for  the  task  before  her. 

Marlborough  saw  her  agitation,  and  laid  it  to  an- 
other cause. 

"  I  have  come  to  you,"  he  said  with  great  gentle- 
ness, "  on  state  business.  But  if  you  have  any  matter 
— any  business  of  your  own  to  speak  of,  tell  me  that 
first.  Rest  assured  that  I  will  do  anything  to  aid  you 
that  lies  within  my  power." 

213 


The  King's  Agent 

Marie's  nervousness  died  a  natural  death. 

"  You  mistake  me,  my  lord,"  she  said.  "  This  time 
the  tables  shall  be  turned.  The  lion  once  saved  the 
mouse,  and  now  the  mouse  must  help  the  lion." 

He  bowed,  and  she  saw  his  face  grow  perceptibly 
graver  and  colder. 

"  Pray  read  this,"  she  said,  in  a  cool,  business-like 
tone,  handing  him  a  paper.  "  I  think  your  lordship 
knows  the  hand." 

Marlborough  bowed,  and  read : 

"  To  all  whom  it  may  concern,  greeting.  We  do 
hereby  declare  that  our  trusty,  well-beloved  Mrs. 
Marie  Montgomery  hath  our  authority  to  treat  with 
all  persons  whom  God  hath  inclined  to  renew  their 
allegiance  to  their  lawful  Sovereign. 

"  Witness  our  hand  and  seal. 

"JAMES  R. 

"March,  1691." 

"  His  Majesty,  I  trust,"  Marlborough  said,  hand- 
ing back  the  paper  with  a  bow,  "  enjoys  good  health  ?  " 

Marie  smiled  significantly. 

"  His  Majesty,  my  lord,  has  not  been  in  such  good 
health  or  in  such  spirits  since  he  left  England  as  he 
is  to-day." 

"  Good  news,  indeed,"  Marlborough  replied.  But 
neither  his  tone  nor  his  face  conveyed  enthusiasm. 
Marie,  however,  was  now  as  cool,  outwardly,  as  her 
visitor. 

"  He  has  good  reason  to  be  well,  for  his  affairs  are 
in  such  posture — "  She  paused  abruptly  as  if  she  had 
intended  to  say  a  great  deal  and  then  thought  better 
of  it,  continuing  in  a  different  tone,  "  But  I  must  de- 
liver his  Majesty's  message  to  your  lordship.  *  Tell 

214 


The  King's  Agent 

Lord  Marlborough,'  the  King  said,  '  that  his  late  ex- 
pressions of  loyalty,  and  remorse  for  past  actions,  have 
touched  me  to  the  heart,  and  give  me  full  confidence 
in  his  good  faith.  Assure  him  that  very  soon  I  shall 
have  the  power  to  reward  all  good  subjects  and  to 
punish  traitors.'  Those,  my  lord,  were  the  King's 
own  words  to  me." 

"  A  most  gracious  message !  "  Marlborough  cried, 
with  apparent  feeling.  "  May  we  all  get  our  deserts 
and  his  Majesty  his  reward.  But  is  this  all?  I  under- 
stood by  your  letter  that  some  service  was  desired  of 
me." 

Marie  laughed. 

"  Your  lordship  should  know  his  Majesty  too  well 
to  doubt  it.  But  his  commands  will  come  in  writing." 

"  In  whose  hand,  dear  madam  ?  " 

There  was  the  ghost  of  a  cynical  smile  on  Marlbor- 
ough's  face,  and  Marie's  cheeks  flamed. 

"  His  Majesty's  own,"  she  said  unsteadily.  "  At 
least — "  She  stopped  herself.  "  I  was  told  the  matter 
was  of  such  importance  and  such  secrecy  that  he  would 
trust  no  other." 

She  had  regained  her  confidence  again,  and  looked 
him  frankly  in  the  face.  He  bowed  gravely. 

"  But  the  purport,  now,  of  these  commands.  If 
you  will  be  so  good,  tell  me.  I  would  not,  if  it  can  be 
helped,  keep  his  Majesty  waiting  for  my  answer." 

"  Alas !  my  lord,"  she  said,  shaking  her  head 
with  a  touch  of  petulance  more  convincing  than  any 
earnestness,  "  I  would  not,  if  I  were  you,  set  much 
store  by  any  words  of  mine.  They  can  indeed  use  a 
woman  at  St.  Germains,  and  give  her  the  hardest  and 
most  troublesome  of  tasks,  but  the  secrets  and  full 
meaning  of  their  enterprises  they  keep  from  her — if 
they  can." 

215 


The  King's  Agent 

"  And  if  they  cannot  ?  "  He  smiled  down  upon  her 
archly,  and  then,  with  a  manner  which  was  at  once  dig- 
nified and  entreating,  took  her  hand. 

"  Sweet  friend,"  he  said  in  a  low  voice,  full  of  feel- 
ing, "  the  lion  is  in  the  net,  and  prays  the  mouse  to 
set  him  free." 

Marie's  heart  beat  fast.  Such  an  advance  on  his 
part  was  more  than  she  had  dared  to  hope  for.  But  she 
did  not  lose  her  presence  of  mind. 

"  I  am  ready  to  serve  you,"  she  said  tremulous- 
ly, "  willing  beyond  what  I  can  express.  It  has  been 
the  dream  of  my  life  since  we  first  met.  But  I 
feel  so  helpless — I  am  but  a  woman,  and  a  weak 
one." 

He  pressed  the  hand  he  held  and  smiled  at 
her. 

"  Weak  women  are  not  chosen  for  such  work  as 
yours,  and  if  you  are  my  friend " 

"  You  will  believe  that,"  she  cried  with  sudden  pas- 
sion, "  in  spite  of  what  any  one  may  say,  you  will  be- 
lieve in  me,  my  lord  ?  " 

The  last  words  came  softly  and  tenderly,  and  she 
drew  nearer  to  him  with  a  slight  caressing  movement. 
He  took  both  her  hands. 

"  I  believe  in  you." 

She  sighed  with  happiness  and  a  longing  that  he 
would  do  more  than  hold  her  hands.  But  he  gently  let 
them  go  now,  and  motioning  her  to  a  chair,  sat  down 
beside  her. 

"The  King's  commands,  my  friend?" 

"  I  must  not  tell  you  much,"  she  said  hesitatingly. 
"  But  I  may  say  it  is  his  intention  to  offer  you 
command  of  all  the  army,  a  dukedom,  and  a  great 
estate." 

"  But  my  service,"  Marlborough  said,  with  a  touch 
216 


The  King's  Agent 

of  impatience.  "  The  wherewithal  I  am  to  give.  Par- 
don, dear  madam,  but  in  the  King's  circumstances 
that  concerns  me  more  than  the  reward." 

"  He  will  ask  for  a  proof  of  your  loyalty." 

Marlborough  raised  his  eyebrows. 

"  I  have  given  proof." 

"  In  words,"  she  rejoined  quickly.  "  But  this  must 
be  an  act  that  will  convince  all  Europe  whom  your 
lordship  owns  as  king." 

Marlborough's  face  hardened. 

"  And  bring  my  family  to  ruin,  myself  to  exile  or 
Tower  Hill.  His  Majesty  asks  too  much." 

"  He  has  much  to  offer." 

"  In  words " 

"  No,  no,  no."  Her  voice  was  low  and  broken. 
"  The  time  has  passed  for  words.  But  I  may  not  say 
more — I  should  not  say  so  much.  Yet  when  the  letter 
comes,  I  may  say  all.  Until  then,  trust  me — believe 
me,  when  I  say  the  moment  is  coming  very  soon  when 
you  will  either  be  a  convicted  traitor — or  the  first  man 
in  England." 

She  had  risen  in  her  excitement,  and  stood  before 
him  with  her  beautiful  head  thrown  back,  and  her  eyes 
flashing  into  his. 

Marlborough  was  stirred.  Vague  whispers  had 
already  reached  him  that  a  storm  was  brewing  in 
France.  Nothing  was  certain,  nothing  was  definite, 
but  Marie  Montgomery's  words,  and  more  especially 
her  bearing,  confirmed  these  rumours  beyond  a 
doubt. 

He  rose,  also,  and  gazed  steadily  and  calmly  back 
at  her  flushed  cheeks  and  trembling  lips. 

"  My  friend,  be  sure  of  this.  When  the  moment 
comes  of  which  you  speak  I  shall  not  be  backward. 
But  until  it  comes,  I  must  keep  still.  This  is  not  luke- 

217 


The  King's  Agent 

warmness,  it  is  necessity.    I  trust  you,  as  a  friend,  to 
tell  my  master  so." 

"  I  will,  indeed,"  she  said.  Then,  as  he  took  up 
his  hat,  "  You  will  come  again  ?  " 

"  On  the  instant  when  the  letter  comes.  But  until 
then  I  must,  for  my  own  safety  and  yours,  avoid  this 
house." 

She  extended  her  hand.  He  took  it,  bent  his  head, 
and  kissed  it. 

"  You  have  not  told  me  yet  about  yourself,"  he 
said.  "  When  I  come  next,  you  will  ?  " 

She  pressed  her  hand  to  her  heart,  as  if  she  felt 
a  sudden  pain  there. 

"  Oh,  yes.    When  you  come  next." 

He  closed  the  door  carefully  as  he  went  out,  and 
stood  a  moment  in  the  passage  and  passed  his  hand 
over  his  forehead.  It  was  damp  with  perspiration. 
At  the  bottom  of  the  stairs  he  found  Patrick  Egan, 
who  with  a  face  of  wood  gave  a  military  salute, 
and  ushered  him  in  silence  to  the  front  door. 
Just  before  they  reached  it,  however,  he  paused, 
looked  cautiously  round,  and  leant  forward  to  whis- 
per: 

"  My  lord." 

"Ay?" 

Marlborough  spoke  in  his  most  tranquil  tone. 

Pat  looked  round  again,  and  brought  his  great  face 
very  near  to  Marlborough's. 

"  I  swore  to  serve  ye.  If  I  do,  your  lordship  will 
not  do  me  harm  ?  " 

"  That  was  my  bargain.     Well  ?  " 

"  Well,  an'  this.  Ye've  talked  a  deal  with  the  young 
mistress.  Now,  did  she  speak  of  a  person,  any  person 
in  particular  ?  " 

"  The  King." 

218 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Oh,  the  King  be — I  mean,  the  Holy  Mother  pro- 
tect the  dear  soul.  None  else  ?  " 

"  No  one." 

"  Then  " — he  sighed  and  frowned  heavily — "  then 
't  is  of  no  consequence."  And  he  proceeded  hastily 
to  unlatch  the  door.  Marlborough  placed  his  foot 
against  it. 

"  Tell  me  whom  you  meant." 

"  Why,  sure,  your  lordship  would  not  know  the 
name.  T  is  such  a  cursed  ugly  name." 

"  The  name,  I  say." 

They  looked  at  one  another,  and  Pat  winced. 

"  Your  lordship  will  never  tell " 

"  The  name !  " 

"  Karl  Brownker." 

He  looked  with  cunning  inquiry  into  Marlbor- 
ough's  face  as  he  said  it,  but  the  face  was  without  ex- 
pression of  any  kind. 

"  He  has  been  here — often  ?  " 

"  He's  always  here — the  devil  take  him !  " 

"  He  knows  your  secret  ?  " 

Pat  clinched  his  great  fist. 

"  If  he  did  not,  there'd  be  one  sowl  more  on  the 
devil's  pitchfork  before  he'd  come  within  the  door." 

"They  trust  him  here?" 

"  The  Lord  knows.    They  are  in  his  power." 

Marlborough  adjusted  his  hat  with  care. 

"  Are  they  ?  "  he  said  very  quietly. 

Patrick  began  to  look  nervous.  "  Sure  then,  an* 
I  hope  he  is  not  a  friend  of  your  lordship's  ?  " 

Marlborough  smiled,  and  opened  the  door. 

"  I  know  him,"  was  all  he  said,  and  with  a  nod 
he  walked  thoughtfully  away. 


219 


CHAPTER    XXIV 

HUGH  left  the  presence  of  the  King  to  keep  his 
appointment  with  Lord  Tottenham.  He  found  that 
nobleman  alone,  in  a  very  bad  temper. 

"  A  pest  take  these  ministers  of  state !  "  he  cried,  as 
Hugh  entered.  "  Either  my  Lords  Sydney  and  Not- 
tingham last  night  lied  to  me  most  grossly  and  deliber- 
ately, or  else  they  dare  not  speak  to  their  master.  In 
either  case  they  should  be  dismissed  from  office — 
Gad's  life,  they  should." 

"  My  lords  have  offended  you  ?  "  Hugh  said  with 
seeming  innocence. 

"  Offended !  Zounds !  my  lad,  they  have  disap- 
pointed me.  You  should  have  been  by  this  time  with 
the  King,  if  they  had  kept  their  words." 

"  I  have  but  this  moment  left  his  Majesty." 

Lord  Tottenham  expressed  his  surprise  forcibly, 
and  when  told  of  Hugh's  adventure  and  his  request  to 
Brownker  to  present  him  to  the  King,  his  face  grew 
graver  still,  and  did  not  brighten  when  Hugh  respect- 
fully but  firmly  declined  to  say  anything  of  the  inter- 
view with  William,  or  of  its  result. 

"  So  you  are  to  serve  the  King — in  England," 
Lord  Tottenham  said  slowly,  "  and  you  gained  the 
favour  through  the  word  of  the  King's  Agent !  That 
means  you  are  in  a  leash,  which  you'll  never  slip,  mark 
me,  until  you've  caught  a  hare  for  them — whoever,  or 
whatever,  that  hare  may  be." 

220 


The  King's  Agent 

Hugh  smiled. 

"  Before  a  hare  is  coursed,  my  lord,  the  hound 
must  be  unleashed.  It  is  not  then  certain  I  shall 
choose  to  catch  the  hare." 

But  Lord  Tottenham  made  no  retort ;  he  was  con- 
sidering something  deeply.  After  a  minute  or  two,  he 
held  out  his  hand. 

"  I  bid  ye  good-bye,  my  boy,"  he  said  very  briefly, 
"  and  wish  you  God-speed." 

Hugh  held  the  hand  fast  in  both  his  own. 

"  I  have  angered  you  by  doing  this " 

But  Lord  Tottenham  stopped  him  with  a  cheery 
laugh,  a  trifle  forced. 

"  Zooks !  How  could  this  be,  when  you  will  not 
tell  me  what  it  is  that  you  have  done.  Nay,  nay,  lad," 
he  continued  kindly,  "  never  think  that.  I  am  a  man — 
not  a  jealous  woman ;  and  if  an  old  cock  thinks  he  can 
crow  best,  and  sneers  at  the  cockerel,  and  if  I  who  had 
my  plans  think  slightingly  of  yours,  mayhap  I  am 
mistaken.  At  least,  I'll  spoil  no  sport.  Go  on,  and 
prosper,  and  if  misfortune  comes,  or  doubt  racks  ye, 
for  Gad's  sake  come  to  me.  I  am  in  town,  and  shall 
be  for  awhile.  And — and — why,  damme,  Hugh,  if  we 
were  at  daggers  drawn — which  we  are  not — d'ye  think 
anything  you  could  say,  or  do,  'ud  bring  me  to  forget 
that  you're  your  mother's  son  ?  " 

And  so  saying,  the  earl  wrung  Hugh's  hand  again, 
and  marched  out  of  the  room. 

Hugh  looked  after  him  with  moist  eyes.  He  was 
not,  however,  much  affected  by  his  old  friend's  proph- 
ecy. He  believed  in  Brownker  now,  and  above  all,  he 
believed  in  the  King.  There  was  something  in  Wil- 
liam's personality  which  attracted  Hugh  strongly — the 
simplicity  and  directness  of  his  Majesty's  speech;  his 
contempt  of  smooth  phrases  ;  his  evident  liking  for  out- 

221 


The  King's  Agent 

spokenness.  That  with  all  this  his  Majesty  might  not 
himself  follow  the  straight  course  he  approved  in  his 
subjects,  did  not  occur  to  Hugh.  He  waited  patiently 
all  day  for  Brownker  to  come  to  him — or  send.  But 
Brownker  did  not  come.  Twice  Hugh  called  at 
Brownker's  house,  but  he  was  not  at  home.  This  made 
Hugh  uneasy,  and  when  the  next  day  he  called  for  the 
third  time,  it  was  in  an  explosive  frame  of  mind.  He 
received  the  message  left  with  Chinnic,  and,  control- 
ling his  impatience  as  well  as  he  could,  rode  a  horse  he 
had  just  bought  until  midday  dinner,  and  then  played 
ombre  until  midnight,  and  amused  himself  by  losing 
two  hundred  pounds. 

Karl  arrived  at  the  club  punctually  to  the  minute, 
and  they  sat  down  to  dine  at  six.  The  best  dinner  had 
been  ordered,  and  the  finest  wines,  and  Hugh,  who  had 
been  in  the  saddle  all  day,  was  both  hungry  and 
thirsty.  Yet,  for  all  this,  he  was  scarcely  amiable,  and 
Brownker,  talking  lightly  of  general  subjects  while 
they  ate,  saw  that  he  had  left  his  man  in  suspense  too 
long. 

The  dinner  over,  and  the  waiters  gone,  Karl  filled 
Hugh's  glass. 

"  I  have  been  delayed." 

"  I  had  given  you  up." 

"  You  have  not,  my  friend,  much  confidence  in 
me." 

"  I  judge  a  man  by  his  acts.  And,  on  my  life, 
Brownker,  when  one  is  kept  waiting — hanging  by  a 
string,  without  a  word,  for  two  whole  days — one  loses 
faith." 

"  And  rightly  so,"  Brownker  said  decisively. 
"  This  should  not  have  been.  But  William  would 
hardly  let  me  from  his  sight,  before  he  went  to  Hol- 
land. He  went  to-day  at  noon,  and  now  " — he  raised 

222 


The  King's  Agent 

his  glass — "  I  am  Mr.  Montgomery's  humble  servant 
to  command." 

He  drank  Hugh's  health  with  a  flourish.  Hugh 
laughed. 

"  Then  pray,  most  humble  servant,  instruct  your 
master  what  he  is  to  do." 

"  We  go  to-night  to  your  aunt's  house,"  Brownker 
said  in  a  brief,  business-like  tone.  "  Information 
reaches  me  that  Marlborough  has  been  seen  there  in 
close  consultation  with  your  cousin  Marie,  who  is  an 
agent  and  spy  from  the  court  of  his  ex-Majesty,  King 
James." 

Hugh  coughed  dubiously. 

"  I  have  not  seen  my  aunt  since  childhood.  She 
wrote  to  my  mother  when  I  joined  the  army  that  I 
was  never  to  show  my  face  within  her  doors.  She  is 
the  maddest  Jacobite." 

"  It  will  be  my  privilege  to-night,"  Brownker  said 
pensively,  "  to  lead  an  erring  lamb  back  to  the  fold — 
you  are  the  lamb." 

Hugh  stared. 

"  You — you — get  access  to  this  house  ?  " 

"  My  good  friend,  I  am  a  converted  instrument  of 
evil.  A  viper  whom  William  is  nursing  in  his  bosom — 
so  Lady  Susan  thinks." 

"  I  cannot  play  the  hypocrite." 

"  Play  what  you  will,"  Brownker  said  tolerantly, 
"  but  gain  your  purpose,  which  must  be  a  footing  in 
that  house.  Marlborough  has  made  it  a  second  home." 

"  There  is  a  front  door  to  every  house,  as  well  as 
a  back  door." 

"  I  have  unlocked  both  for  you,  my  friend." 

Hugh  sipped  his  wine  without  replying.  It  was 
the  best  of  wine,  but  at  this  moment  Lord  Tottenham's 
words  came  into  his  mind  and  it  tasted  sour. 

223 


The  King's  Agent 

"  I  am  ungrateful,"  he  said  at  last,  with  an  effort. 
"  You  have  done  much  for  me.  I  shall  need  nothing,  it 
would  seem,  but  to  make  use  of  eyes  and  ears.  Yet  I 
cannot  but  feel  bitter  and  uneasy.  Gad,  Brownker, 
I  would  sooner  strike  Marlborough  in  the  face  with 
my  clenched  fist  than  follow  at  his  heels  like  this.  A 
wolf  in  a  sheep's  skin !  " 

Brownker  sipped  his  wine  with  an  unruffled  face. 

"  Your  conscience,"  he  said,  "  is  marvellously 
made.  You  would  prefer  to  see  your  friend  commit 
a  crime  and  be  hanged  for  it  rather  than  prevent  the 
crime,  and  by  patient  search  and  waiting  save  the 
criminal." 

Hugh's  glass  nearly  dropped  from  his  hand. 

"  What !  Save  Marlborough  if  he  is  guilty  ?  This 
is  something  new  indeed !  " 

Karl  laughed — an  indulgent,  pitying  laugh. 

"  My  dear  Montgomery,  your  pardon  if  I  say  it, 
but  where  has  your  mind  been  wandering  since  you 
became  a  man?  You  have  mind  and  good  sense  as 
well  as  strength  of  arm — William  noticed  that.  Why, 
then — forgive  me — do  you  so  seldom  use  it  ?  Did  you, 
in  seriousness,  intend  to  betray  Marlborough  to  the 
King,  if  you  found  him  guilty  ?  " 

He  put  it  as  a  question,  but  received  no  answer. 
Hugh  was  turning  his  wine  glass  round  and  round, 
with  a  queer,  hard  look  upon  his  face. 

"  If  you  were  serious,"  Brownker  continued, 
"  then  I  can  only  suppose  you  have  changed  your  mind 
concerning  Isabel." 

"  I  have  not  changed  the  least." 

"  But  the  man  who  brings  Marlborough  to  justice 
will  be  loathed  by  her." 

"  I  must  take  the  risk  of  that." 

"Your  faith  in  Marlborough  being  absolute?" 
224 


The  King's  Agent 

He  rose  from  the  table,  looked  at  himself  in  a  mir- 
ror. In  this  mirror  he  could  also  see  Hugh's  face. 
Hugh  glanced  up  at  him  with  a  frown. 

"  I  have  lost  some  faith  of  late." 

"  You  will  lose  more  yet." 

"  But  at  least  I  will  be  honest.  If  Maryborough 
is  guilty  he  must  die." 

"  And  Isabel  ?  "  Brownker  murmured. 

"  Isabel  must  approve  the  justice  of  the  act  or  I 
must  lose  her  love." 

"  You  expect  too  much  of  women." 

"  A  woman  expects  too  much  of  me,"  Hugh  cried 
hotly,  "  if  she  would  have  me  screen  a  damnable 
crime." 

Brownker  turned  from  the  mirror  and  stroked  his 
upper  lip. 

"  On  my  life,  Montgomery,  if  you  were  Lord  Pro- 
tector of  England,  the  tyranny  of  Cromwell  and  his 
Ironsides  would  be  mere  mildness  in  comparison  to 
yours.  A  man  must  be  honest — a  woman  just — Heav- 
en forbid !  But  come,  we  must  to  Chelsea.  It  is  grow- 
ing late." 

They  took  horse  from  the  club  and  were  at  the 
Abbey  House  in  an  hour.  Hugh  was  now  in  a  gentler 
mood.  The  fresh  air  and  exercise  had  done  him  good. 
Moreover,  he  was  extremely  curious  to  see  his  aunt 
and  cousin.  He  had  no  expectation  of  liking  either  of 
them,  for  his  mother  piously  abhorred  Papists,  and  had 
painted  the  Lady  Susan  in  very  black  colours  indeed. 
Marie  he  had  not  heard  of  since  she  was  a  child.  All 
he  knew  of  them  was  that  they  were  very  poor.  It 
was  therefore  an  immense  surprise  to  be  ushered  into 
a  drawing-room  which,  by  candle-light,  looked  well- 
furnished  and  imposing,  and  to  be  greeted  by  a  stately 
little  old  lady  with  the  presence  of  a  duchess.  All  this, 

225 


The  King's  Agent 

however,  was  nothing  to  the  impression  made  upon 
Hugh  by  Marie,  dressed  in  a  fashionable  evening 
gown  trimmed  with  old  family  lace,  the  family  jew- 
els in  her  hair,  her  arms  and  neck  and  shoulders 
dazzlingly  white,  her  face  all  brightness  and  vivac- 
ity— such  a  vision  of  beauty  as  Hugh  had  seldom 
seen. 

"  Welcome,  good  nephew,"  Lady  Susan  said,  an- 
swering his  low  bow  with  a  stately  courtesy.  "  But, 
my  God !  " — she  gave  a  little  shriek — "  as  I  am  a  living 
woman,  you  are  your  father's  image !  Why  have  you 
kept  away  from  us  so  long?  " 

The  question  startled  Hugh,  as  she  meant  it  to  do, 
and  before  he  could  reply  she  went  on  harshly :  "  But 
I  know — I  know!  Until  very  late  you  have  been 
ashamed — rebel  and  heretic  that  you  were!  Come, 
speak  truth  now.  You  can  if  you  are  a  Montgomery — 
as  they  say  you  are." 

There  was  a  scarcely  concealed  sneer  in  the  last 
words  which  nettled  Hugh  intensely. 

"  Your  ladyship  makes  a  sad  mistake.  I  have  no 
wish  to  be  anything  but  a  humble  subject  of  our  Sover- 
eign, King  William." 

"  What !  "  Lady  Susan  showed  all  her  teeth  like  a 
dog.  "  You  dare,  sir,  in  my  house " 

"  Mamma,"  said  a  firm  cool  voice  at  her  elbow, 
"  pray  introduce  me  to  my  cousin." 

There  was  a  direct  design  as  well  as  dignity  and 
authority  in  Marie's  tone.  Hugh  saw  Lady  Susan 
look  daggers  at  the  girl,  heard  her  sharp  voice  die 
down  to  an  angry  mutter,  and  then  forgot  her  alto- 
gether. 

"  I  have  heard  so  much  of  my  Cousin  Hugh,"  she 
said,  "  that  I  should  have  known  him  anywhere.  Had 
I  not  been  a  woman  I  should  long  ago  have  made  an 

226 


The  King's  Agent 

invasion  of  his  house.    It  is  absurd  we  should  not  meet 
because  of  a  difference  in  our  politics." 

"  How  know  you  there  is  such  difference  ?  "  struck 
in  Brownker,  nodding  significantly  at  Lady  Susan, 
and  bowing  to  the  portrait  on  the  wall.  At  this  Hugh 
saw  a  remarkable  change  come  over  Lady  Susan.  She 
curtsied  to  the  picture  and  cried  brokenly,  "  The  Lord 
grant  him  soon  a  safe  return." 

"  Amen,"  Mr.  Brownker  said  piously  aloud,  whis- 
pering to  Hugh,  "  from  Holland." 

But  Hugh  felt  a  sudden  pity  for  his  deluded  aunt. 
However  mistaken,  she  was  in  earnest  and  had  the 
courage  of  her  faith.  Following  a  sudden  impulse,  he 
went  up  to  her. 

"  I  assure  you,  madam,  I  desire,  from  my  soul,  the 
welfare  of  his  Majesty,"  and  this  was  true,  in  the  sense 
he  meant  it. 

Lady  Susan  beamed  on  him.  "  Then  I  forgive  you 
all  else,  my  dear.  And  you  are  welcome  here.  But 
I  would  say  a  word  to  you — softly — softly — in  your 
ear,"  and  she  laid  her  hand  upon  his  arm. 

Marie  was  speaking  to  Karl  Brownker  at  the  mo- 
ment, and  Lady  Susan,  under  cover  of  this,  whispered 
the  last  words,  and  drew  Hugh  up  to  the  portrait  as  if 
pointing  out  its  qualities. 

"  Nephew,"  she  went  on,  and  now  her  voice  was  a 
woeful  whine,  "  you  are  a  rich  man,  and  a  generous 
one,  for  you  are  a  Montgomery.  Help  us ;  we  are  in 
bitter  need  of  money." 

Her  voice  was  low  and  breathless,  not  above  a 
whisper,  and  he  had  to  bend  his  head  low  to  hear  her 
words.  These  shocked  him. 

"  Tell  me  your  need,"  he  began,  putting  his  hand  in 
his  pocket.  But  she  stopped  him  with  a  frantic  ges- 
ture. 

227 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Don't,  don't,  or  she  will  guess.  She  always 
guesses  everything,  and  then  she'd  stop  it.  She  is  so 
proud.  I  am  proud  too,  but  I  cannot  starve,  and  I 
like  your  face,  child.  I  loved  your  father  until  your 
mother — but  she  was  a  good  woman — don't  frown — 
don't  mind  my  tongue.  It  is  like  an  old  rattle  that 
cannot  stop  itself.  I  have  not  tasted  meat  this  week.  I 
am  hungry.  Turn  this  way,  and  seem  to  be  looking 
at  the  portrait;  now  take  your  money  out.  I  need 
only  a  little — just  a  little.  Oh,  I  am  so  poor!  As  I 
am  a  living  woman,  there  is  not  a  penny  in  the  house." 

Her  voice  broke  off  in  a  low  wail.  Out  came 
Hugh's  purse  in  a  moment. 

"  Why,  then,  take  this,  aunt,  though  it  is  not  much. 
I  had  not  an  idea  you  were  in  such  bitter  want." 

Her  eyes  glittered  and  her  fingers  closed  upon  the 
gold.  "  Fifty  pounds !  You  are  a  jewel,  my  dear,"  she 
cried.  "  Your  father's  very  image  before  his  wife — 
But  now,  see,  they  are  watching  us."  She  began  to 
speak  aloud.  "  Indeed,  nephew,  it  may  be  a  coinci- 
dence, but  as  I'm  a  living  woman,  you  have  a  strong 
likeness  to  our  late  most  gracious  Majesty  King 
Charles.  Ha,  ha,  ha !  "  She  suddenly  began  to  laugh. 
"  Why,  I  had  forgot  he  was  so  well  acquainted  with 
your  parents.  Sure,  now,  if  right  were  right,  and  the 
crown  had  gone  to  next  of  blood,  my  Mistress  Marie 
here  might  have  flaunted  it  at  court  to-day  as  the  first 
cousin  to  a  king — he,  he,  he !  " 

"What — a  jest,  mamma?"  Marie  said,  watching 
Hugh's  astonished  and  disgusted  face.  "  It  is  rare,  in- 
deed, to  hear  you  make  a  jest." 

"  Her  ladyship's  words,"  exclaimed  Hugh,  "  are 
quite  beyond  a  jest.  If  my  mother's  name  is  to  be  so 
treated  in  this  house  I  leave  it  instantly."  He  bowed 
low  and  made  a  motion  towards  the  door. 

228 


The  King's  Agent 

Lady  Susan  tapped  Hugh»coquettishly  with  her  fan. 

"  'Odds  my  life,  nephew,  what  a  Montgomery  you 
are !  All  on  fire  at  one  poor  hasty  word.  La !  I  will 
crave  forgiveness  and  make  amplest  amend.  Your 
mother  was  the  soul  of  virtue.  At  least  she  should 
have  been ;  she  tolerated  no  one  who  was  not." 

She  made  him  a  low  courtesy.  Hugh  was  not  mol- 
lified in  the  least,  and  in  his  disgust  proceeded  to  make 
an  excuse  to  take  his  leave  when  Marie,  with  an  inter- 
change of  glances  with  Karl  Brownker,  said  decidedly : 

"  Mamma,  I  need  Hugh's  counsel  on  a  matter  of  the 
utmost  importance,  and  Karl  here  has  a  word  to  say  to 
you.  Please  you  retire  a  little  and  leave  Hugh  alone 
with  me." 

Lady  Susan  tossed  her  head,  concealing  in  the  folds 
of  her  skirt  the  purse  she  had  received  from  Hugh. 

"  Heyday !  Listen  to  this ;  what  are  the  girls  com- 
ing to !  But  I  mind  it  not  with  so  discreet  a  daughter 
and  so  virtuous  a  gentleman.  Behave  you,  Sir  neph- 
ew, see  that  you  behave !  But,  of  a  truth,  there's  small 
use  in  asking,  seeing  that  you  are  both  Montgomerys 
together.  I  wash  my  hands  of  ye." 

She  leered  and  nodded  at  them  like  an  old  witch, 
and  then,  taking  Karl  Brownker's  arm,  sidled  off  to  the 
door.  "  I  will  give  you  ten  minutes,  children,"  she 
cried.  "  Only  ten  minutes,  and  do  not  let  us  find  you 
on  our  return  sitting  near  together ;  that  would  never 
do.  Why,  there'd  be  a  duel  on  it — eh,  Karl?  He,  he, 
he!  And  a  funeral  in  the  morning  from  the  garden 
gate ! " 


229 


CHAPTER   XXV 

MARIE  received  her  mother's  parting  words  with 
a  laugh  that  jarred  upon  Hugh's  nerves. 

"  Thank  Heaven  we  are  rid  of  them !  " 

She  swept  across  the  room  to  the  couch.  "  Come 
here,  Cousin  Hugh,  away  from  the  door,  and  talk  to 
me." 

Her  manner  was  gracious  but  dictatorial.  Hugh 
was  half  amusecf,  half  indignant. 

"  Tell  me  why  you  have  come  here,  please?  "  Her 
tone  was  still  imperious,  but  her  eyes  beseeched  him. 

Hugh  looked  at  her  and  considered.  He  admired 
her  beauty,  but  he  was  not  attracted  by  her  manner. 

"  I  have  come  with  Mr.  Brownker,"  he  said,  "  and 
for  the  same  reason." 

"  That  is  not  true." 

"  Your  pardon,  cousin." 

"  I  say,  sir,  it  is  not  true,"  she  repeated.  "  I  know, 
if  you  do  not,  that  Karl  Brownker  is  here  simply  to 
spy.  Now,  tell  me  your  business." 

"  My  fair  cousin,"  Hugh  replied  sharply,  "  if  you 
think  to  pump  me  in  this  manner  you  are  on  a  very 
fruitless  errand.  I  shall  say  not  a  word  except  in  Mr. 
Brownker's  presence." 

Her  lip  curled  scornfully.  "  I  would  not  believe 
Karl  Brownker  on  his  oath." 

"  Yet  but  a  minute  since  you  and  he  were  exchang- 
230 


The  King's  Agent 

ing  confidences.    Upon  my  life  you  must  think  me  a 
very  fool." 

He  made  a  movement  to  rise  from  the  couch,  but 
quick  as  thought  she  laid  a  hand  upon  his,  and  held  it. 

"  Your  pardon — your  pardon !  "  she  cried  broken- 
ly. "  Indeed,  I  hardly  know  what  I  am  saying.  I  am 
so  distraught  and  desperate  and  miserable.  Hugh  " — 
she  fell  on  her  knees  before  him — "  save  me,  for  the 
Lord's  sake,  save  me  from  that  man !  " 

She  was  sobbing  now  wildly ;  her  face  was  pale  and 
drawn,  a  picture  of  beauty  in  distress. 

A  lump  rose  in  Hugh's  throat  and  his  face  burned. 
He  raised  the  weeping  girl  from  the  ground  and  placed 
her  on  the  couch  beside  him ;  and  then,  as  she  still 
sobbed,  tried  awkwardly  to  soothe  her. 

"  Cousin  Marie,  my  dear  cousin  " — he  took  her 
hand — "  come,  compose  yourself. — Deuce  take  her !  " 
— this  to  himself.  "  Come,  stop  to  tell  me  your  trouble. 
If  I  can  serve  you,  depend  on  it,  I  will.  What  has  Karl 
Brownker  done  ?  " 

He  had  taken  her  hand  into  both  his  own  now,  at 
which  her  sobs  quickly  subsided  and  a  very  pretty 
handkerchief  which  she  had  whipped  out  was  now 
thrust  away,  much  as  a  workman  throws  down  a  tool 
which  has  done  its  work.  Then  she  edged  away  from 
him  a  few  inches,  and  her  eyes,  which  were  full  of 
gratitude  and  wonder,  drooped  bashfully  behind  those 
long  lashes ;  but  she  allowed  him  to  keep  her  hand. 

"  Pardon  my  weakness !  And  we  have  known  each 
other  only  a  few  minutes.  Yet  we  are  cousins,  dear 
Hugh  " — here  she  pressed  his  hand.  "  Ever  since  the 
day  you  struck  down  that  coward — whom  no  other 
man  dared  even  to  dispute — for  his  foul  slander  on  the 
Earl  of  Marlborough,  I  have  been  proud  to  think  we 
were  related ;  I  have  longed  every  day  to  meet  you." 

231 


The  King's  Agent 

She  pressed  his  hand  again  and  flashed  a  glance  of 
admiration  from  her  brilliant  eyes  which  would  have 
turned  the  head  of  many  an  older  man.  But  Hugh  did 
not  feel  it  at  the  moment,  for  his  mind  was  full  of  some- 
thing else. 

"  I  thank  you,"  he  said  gravely.  "  But  I  am  not 
proud  of  that  adventure ;  nor  is  my  friend  to  be  called 
a  coward.  You  cannot  know  that  at  the  duel  after- 
ward he  spared  my  life." 

"With  what  object?"  she  cried,  with  a  touch  of 
her  former  tone.  "  My  word,  cousin,  I  do  not  wish  to 
think  you  are  a  fool,  but  one  who  trusts  Karl  Brown- 
ker " 

"  Will  not  listen  to  an  empty  slander  on  his  name, 
cousin,  even  from  a  woman." 

He  dropped  her  hand,  and  his  voice  had  a  ring  in 
it  which  quelled  her  instantly. 

"  You  are  right,  Hugh,"  she  said  humbly.  "  I 
spoke  of  what  I  heard,  not  of  what  I  knew ;  that  was 
unjust.  Indeed,  since  he  is  your  friend  " — she  sighed 
drearily — "  I  had  best  not  tell  you  even  what  I  know, 
or  I  may  lose  you,  the  only  person — the  only  man — in 
all  the  world  I  have  to  trust." 

Her  voice  became  lower  and  lower  until  it  dropped 
to  a  whisper.  Hugh  was  much  touched,  and  he  took 
her  hand  again  and  pressed  it. 

"  Nonsense,"  he  said  cheerfully.  "  Why,  such  as 
you,  Marie,  must  have  a  score  of  friends.  But  I  am 
your  cousin,  therefore  more  than  friend.  Come,  tell 
me  all,  my  dear." 

He  drew  her  towards  him  as  he  might  have  ca- 
ressed a  child  that  had  appealed  for  his  protection. 
But  his  face  was  flushed,  for  he  felt  the  power  of  her 
beauty  through  and  through.  Yet  so  far  he  was  think- 
ing of  her,  not  of  himself;  thinking  how  forlorn  and 

232 


The  King's  Agent 

lonely  she  seemed,  and  that  they  were  of  the  same 
blood.  It  was  his  duty  as  well  as  his  inclination  to  be 
her  confidant,  protector,  and  especial  friend. 

And  Marie,  while  she  sighed  and  thanked  him  with 
a  look  as  innocently  surprised  and  grateful  as  if  she 
were  a  girl  in  her  first  teens,  followed  the  workings  of 
his  mind  exactly. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you  all,"  she  said  in  a  low  voice,  slid- 
ing a  little  nearer  to  him.  "  It  would  make  you  too 
angry.  I  am  afraid  of  you,  Hugh." 

That  was  admirably  done,  and  when  she  sighed  and 
gave  a  little  shiver  he  began  to  stroke  her  hair. 

"  Foolish  little  cousin,  I  am  mild  as  milk." 

"  With  those  you  love,"  she  murmured ;  "  but  if 
you  are  offended,  roused,  you  are  a  lion.  Do  you 
think  I  have  not  heard  ?  " 

He  laughed  consciously.  "  You  hear  great  non- 
sense. I  am  no  more  a  lion  than  any  other  man. 
Pish ! " 

She  looked  into  his  face  searchingly,  bent  her  beau- 
tiful head,  and  kissed  his  hand. 

"  Hugh,  you  are  the  bravest  and  the  most  modest 
man  I  ever  saw." 

His  face  was  scarlet  now  and  she  felt  him  tremble. 

"  Then  you  have  seen  few  men,"  he  said  hoarsely. 
"  But  come,  pray  tell  me  how  I  can  assist  you."  The 
situation  was  becoming  more  than  he  could  bear,  and 
his  voice  was  strained.  Marie  herself  was  flushed  now, 
and  in  her  eyes  was  a  gleam  of  mischief,  which,  with 
the  touch  of  her  lips  on  his  hand,  caused  a  sudden 
intensity  of  passion  to  spring  up  in  Hugh.  He  began 
to  say  to  himself  now  that  as  his  only  relative  she 
was  nearer  than  most  cousins,  and  dearer.  And  yet, 
even  while  he  told  himself  this  and  believed  it,  and 
allowed  his  arm,  which  seemed  to  move  of  its  own  voli- 

233 


The  King's  Agent 

tion,  to  slip  about  her  waist,  something-  at  the  back  of 
his  mind  protested  and  held  him  still  under  some  con- 
trol. 

"  Now,  tell  me  all,"  he  said  shortly.  They  were 
very  close  together,  and  her  eyes  gleamed  into  his — 
her  breath  was  on  his  face. 

"  I  do  not  know  that  I  should  allow  this,"  she  mur- 
mured, pillowing  her  head  on  his  shoulder.  Then 
raising  her  lips  invitingly,  secure  in  her  power,  "  Oh, 
faithless !  pledged  to  Mistress  Isabel  Fretchville !  " 

She  was  thinking  dreamily  what  a  fine  strong  man 
he  was,  an  altogether  satisfactory  man,  and  with  half- 
closed  eyes  was  luxuriously  awaiting  the  denial  and  the 
kiss  that  would  greet  her  words,  when  to  her  astonish- 
ment she  felt  him  stiffen,  withdraw  his  arm,  relinquish 
her  hand,  and  rise  hastily  to  his  feet. 

"  I  thank  you  for  that,"  he  said  in  a  low  tone.  Then, 
after  a  momentary  pause  in  which  he  seemed  to  think 
deeply,  "  You  must  not,  however,  be  under  a  mistake. 
Mistress  Fretchville  and  I  are  not  pledged  to  each 
other.  I  did  offer  all  and  would  offer  it  again.  But 
she  refused  it." 

"  Then,  on  my  soul,  good  Hugh,"  Marie  ex- 
claimed, scorn,  annoyance,  pique  struggling  for  the 
mastery  in  her  voice,  "  I  do  not  understand  you 
in  the  least.  Not  that  I  do  not  thank  you,  too,  for 
the  lesson  taught  to  me.  My  word,  you  degenerate ! 
Poor  fellow!  poor  little  boy — ugh,  a  pest  on  you! 
Karl  Brownker  is  worth  a  score  of  such  a  one ! " 

She  seized  two  cushions  which  had  fallen  from  the 
couch,  and  beat  them  into  place  with  fury.  Meanwhile 
Hugh  had  been  growing  calmer  as  she  became  ex- 
cited. He  greeted  her  last  words  with  a  quiet  laugh. 

"  So,  so.  This  demon  in  a  human  shape  then,  from 
whom  I  was  to  save  you,  is  worth  something  after 

234 


The  King's  Agent 

all.  Oh,  cousin,  cousin,  you  have  betrayed  yourself 
indeed ! " 

At  these  words,  Marie's  face  became  livid  with  pas- 
sion and  sudden  bitter  dread. 

"  You  lie — you  lie !  "  she  cried,  stamping  her  foot. 
"  And  Brownker  lies !  I  am  as  proud  as  you,  Sir 
Hugh,  with  all  your  money  and  your  virtue  and — ha, 
ha,  ha ! — your  constancy  to  the  sweet  Mistress  Isabel. 
If  Brownker  has  dared  to  say  that  I — that  he  and  I 
i  have  been  familiar " 

"  Stop !  "  Hugh's  voice  burst  into  the  midst  of 
hers  like  the  roar  of  a  big  gun  into  the  snap  of  the 
Maxims.  "  Think  you  that  he — or  any  man — would 
say  that  and  live  after  ?  Good  Gad !  you  must  indeed 
think  meanly  of  me  then." 

She  shrugged  her  shoulders,  but  grew  quiet  at 
once,  breathing  more  freely. 

"  I  knew  not  what  to  think  of  what  you  said." 

"  I  said  you  had  betrayed  yourself.  I  meant  you 
had  shown  clearly  that  your  rage  against  Karl  Brown- 
ker was  more  than  half  pretence.  I  meant  no  more. 
But  now  I  shall  require  you  to  tell  me  much  more — 
namely,  the  exact  relationship  between  you  and  this 
man — what  it  has  been,  and  is,  and  is  to  be." 

Marie  tossed  her  head. 

"  A  likely  thing !  My  word !  Who  are  you,  sir,  to 
be  my  confessor  ?  " 

"Your  only  male  relative,  madam,"  he  answered, 
"  and  the  head  of  the  family.  You  refuse  to  tell  me  ?  " 

He  paused  for  a  reply,  and  she  nodded  curtly. 

"  Then  Mr.  Brownker  shall." 

Marie  laughed.  "  He  had  to  spare  your  life  once, 
little  boy ! " 

"  And  he  is  my  friend,"  Hugh  rejoined  calmly. 
"  But  if  he  were  my  brother,  he  should  not  bring 
'6  235 


The  King's  Agent 

our  name  into  disgrace.  Nay,  nor,  for  his  own  sake, 
shall  he  lie  under  the  suspicion  of  tampering  with  your 
honour." 

He  walked  across  the  room  to  the  door,  but  Marie 
called  him  hurriedly  by  name,  and  he  paused. 

"  Hugh,  Hugh,  you  must  not.  I  will  do  anything, 
tell  you  anything,  but  do  not  go  to  him." 

Hugh  came  slowly  back  again.    "  Well  ?  " 

She  laughed  hysterically  and  pretended  to  shud- 
der. 

"  If  you  stand  so,  cousin,  I  shall  at  once  fall  on  my 
knees,  as  before  an  executioner.  You  frighten  me  to 
death.  Come,  sit  you  once  more  and  I  will  be  good — 
I  will  indeed  be  good." 

He  did  not  move. 

"  Oh,  as  you  will,"  and  she  made  a  face  at  him. 
"  But  the  heroic  pose  of  virtue  does  not  become  you 
in  the  least." 

"  I  am  waiting." 

"  You  may  wait." 

She  began  to  laugh,  then  cried  a  little.  In  truth, 
her  nerves  were  considerably  unhinged. 

"  I  like  to  make  men  wait.  You  don't  know  wom- 
en, Hugh.  Oh,  a  fig  for  your  Mistress  Isabel!  She 
is  a  cunning  baggage,  I  warrant  me ;  nay,  do  not  look 
so  black,  man,  I  mean  it  as  a  compliment.  She  loves 
you  all  the  while,  I  wager,  but  outside  she's  cold  to 
draw  you  on.  She  sees  you're  simple,  so  she  plays  the 
prude.  Chut !  We  all  do ;  I  did  once  with  Brownker. 
Lud !  How  eager  he  became !  But  I  was  a  fool.  I  did 
not  know — my  God !  I  did  not  know  him." 

"  He  was,  then,  once  in  love  with  you?  " 

Marie  gave  a  defiant  nod. 

"  And  with  a  passion  that  such  striplings  as  you, 
sir,  know  naught  about.  But  I  would  not  have  him. 

236 


The  King's  Agent 

Pish!    Brownker  was  not  the  only  one  then  by  half 
a  score." 

"  So,  indeed,  I  should  suppose." 

"  You  do  me  no  more  than  justice,  then ;  but  that 
— that  was  long  ago." 

Her  voice  fell,  and  her  handkerchief  appeared  again. 

"  I  know  I  was  too  fond  of  company  and  play. 
How  could  I  be  otherwise?  But  it  did  not  last,  for 
when  we  lost  our  money  and  came  here,  all  my  fine 
gentlemen  deserted  me — but  one." 

She  was  a  different  person  now.  Her  manner  was 
quiet,  her  voice  had  grown  a  little  plaintive,  and  though 
she  held  her  handkerchief  within  her  hands  her  eyes 
were  dry. 

"  Karl  was  faithful,"  she  continued.  "  He  was 
more  faithful  in  misfortune  than  when  we  were  in 
favour.  He  followed  us,  he  waited  on  us ;  found  us  the 
house,  provided  for  us,  and  now  he  is  our  master." 

"  That  means — what  ?    Tell  me  all." 

Hugh's  voice  was  sharp  and  fierce.  Its  tone  made 
Marie's  eyes  kindle  again,  yet  she  could  not  meet  his 
glance. 

"  Pish,  cousin,  how  swift  you  are !  I  mean  but 
this — that  I,  who  am  an  agent  of  his  Majesty  King 
James,  live  with  my  mother  on  the  bounty  of  King 
William." 

Hugh  recoiled. 

"  A  spy !  You — a  Montgomery — are  double  trait- 
or— betraying  for  money  William  to  St.  Germains, 
James  to  William.  Oh,  my  God !  " 

Marie  looked  at  him  with  a  calm,  pitying  smile. 

"  Poor  boy !  I  was  afraid  the  news  would  be  a 
shock.  My  dear  cousin,  there  is  not  a  man  of  any  con- 
sideration in  the  land  that  is  not  doing  the  same,  or  a 
woman  either." 

237 


The  King's  Agent 

He  made  no  answer,  nor  did  he  look  at  her.  His 
teeth  were  set,  his  eyes  were  on  the  ground. 

"  I  see,"  he  said  half  to  himself,  half  to  her.  "  I  see 
his  plan :  this  house  is  a  trap ;  your  mother,  with  her 
old-world  loyalty,  a  bait ;  and  you " 

He  raised  his  head  and  looked  her  in  the  face. 

"  Is  Karl  Brownker  the  only  gentleman  that  comes 
to  see  you  here  ?  " 

He  saw  her  start,  he  saw  a  rush  of  hot  colour  crowd 
into  her  face,  and  before  she  could  reply  he  added : 

"  The  Earl  of  Marlborough,  also,  is  a  friend  of 
yours." 

A  change,  swift  and  complete,  both  in  bearing  and 
countenance,  came  over  Marie  now.  She  rose  from 
the  couch  and  stood  before  him  as  erect  and  queenly 
as  he  had  seen  her  first.  It  is  true  her  cheeks  were 
burning,  and  her  eyes  shone  with  a  soft  light,  but  there 
was  no  confusion,  no  affectation,  no  fear. 

"  The  earl,"  she  said  proudly,  "  has  of  a  surety  done 
me  the  honour  of  consulting  me  upon  a  matter  of 
politics.  What  then?" 

Hugh  breathed  heavily  and  clinched  his  hands. 

"  Politics !  "  he  cried.  "  Was  it  for  politics  alone 
that  he  consulted  you  ?  " 

She  shrugged  her  shoulders  slightly,  not  moving 
otherwise,  and  glared  at  him  with  a  splendid  scorn. 

"  I  had  heard,  Cousin  Hugh,  that  you  were  well 
acquainted  with  the  Earl  of  Marlborough.  I  begin  to 
doubt  whether  this  can  be  true.  Those  who  know  his 
lordship  well  know  that  he  is  the  soul  of  honour  and 
of  chivalry.  It  is  this  which  makes  his  friendship  so 
great  a  privilege  to  me." 

Hugh's  face  slowly  cleared. 

"  Your  pardon,  cousin,"  he  said  gravely.     "  But 

this  politics " 

238 


The  King's  Agent 

"  Pooh !  "  she  said,  drooping  her  eyes  but  watching 
him  behind  the  lashes.  "  A  matter  of  business.  I  have 
a  letter  from  his  Majesty  King  James  directed  to  my 
lord,  and  I  sent  to  him  to  tell  him  so.  He  came  con- 
cerning it.  When  the  blessed  day  arrives  that  this 
Dutch  William  and  his  brood  of  Flemish  rats  are 
swept  into  the  sea,  the  Earl  of  Marlborough  will  be 
his  Majesty's  right  hand." 

"  This  cannot  be  true."  Hugh  spoke  slowly,  pain- 
fully. 

"  What,  sir ! "  cried  Marie  with  well-simulated  of- 
fence. "  You  dare  to  doubt  my  word !  You  want  a 
proof?" 

"  I  will  not  doubt  Lord  Marlborough's  loyalty  with- 
out a  proof." 

"His  loyalty!"  Marie  retorted.  "That  shall  be 
proved  to  the  hilt,  cousin.  You  shall  with  your  own 
eyes  see  that  he  is  an  honoured,  trusted  servant  of 
King  James." 

She  went  to  her  escritoire  and  drew  a  paper  from 
it,  a  large,  important-looking  letter  with  the  royal 
seal. 

"  Read  for  yourself.  I  do  not  ask  you  to  believe 
my  words." 

Hugh  seized  it  without  ceremony,  and  when  he 
saw  the  writing  gnawed  his  lip.  It  was  in  James's 
hand,  addressed  to  Marlborough.  The  letter  was  not 
long,  but  it  took  Hugh  some  time  to  read  it.  When 
he  had  finished  he  felt  as  if  his  heart  were  dead  and 
cold.  Marlborough  was  found  out — condemned  be- 
yond redemption.  He  examined  the  letter,  the  seal, 
the  signature.  Everything  corresponded.  There  was 
no  doubt.  He  felt  a  touch  upon  his  arm  and  found 
Marie  was  standing  close  beside  him. 

"Well,  what  now?"     Her  voice  was  well  con- 

239 


The  King's  Agent 

trolled,  but  there  was  a  curious  apprehension  in  her 
eyes.  "  What  think  you  ?  " 

"  He  is  guilty." 

"  Guilty !  "  she  laughed  shortly. 

"  Guilty  of  high  treason." 

"  You  mean  to  William." 

"  The  King.    There  is  only  one." 

She  took  the  letter  from  him  hastily. 

"  And  what  then  shall  you  do  about  it — what  ?  " 

Hugh  had  opened  his  mouth  to  reply  and  Marie 
bent  her  head  to  listen.  But  the  door  opened  at  this 
moment  and  Hugh  stopped  himself. 

"  Do  ?  "  Hugh  said  guardedly.  "  That  depends  on 
many  things.  But  my  lord  had  better  secure  his  per- 
son from  the  agents  of  the  King." 

Marie  smiled. 

"  In  that  we  agree.  Mamma,  my  cousin  is  a  most 
properly  converted  man." 


240 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

IT  was  near  the  hour  of  noon  on  the  fifth  of  May. 
In  the  Abbey  House,  Chelsea,  Marie  Montgomery  sat 
writing  by  the  window,  alone  in  the  place  except  for  the 
faithful  Patrick,  waiting  for  Marlborough. 

A  week  had  gone  by  since  Hugh  and  Karl  Brown- 
ker  had  spent  their  evening  there,  the  most  anxious, 
wearing  week  in  Marie's  life.  Day  and  night  she  had 
thought,  planned,  and  worked.  Scarcely  twelve  hours 
would  pass  without  the  arrival  of  a  messenger  from 
France,  who  brought  instructions,  received  reports, 
and  then  slipped  away  to  other  places.  Nor  were 
messengers  and  intelligencers  Marie's  only  visitors. 
Men  known  in  every  European  court  to  be  the  coun- 
sellors of  William  called  on  her  under  assumed  names 
to  receive  and  send  messages  to  James.  The  atmos- 
phere fairly  reeked  with  intrigue,  suspense,  and  ex- 
citement. And  in  the  centre  of  it  all,  holding  the  reins 
firmly,  moving  among  noblemen,  knights,  and  com- 
moners, as  queen  and  mistress  of  the  situation,  was 
Marie,  in  her  element. 

Late  nights  and  laborious  days  seemed  to  leave  no 
mark  upon  her  beauty,  her  spirits,  or  her  energy.  Every 
evening  she  received  her  guests  with  the  same  vi- 
vacity, tickled  their  ears  with  news  and  messages  from 
the  King,  dragged  or  coaxed  from  them  promises  of 
assistance  and  sometimes  even  hard  cash;  and,  with- 
out betraying  any  definite  particulars,  made  all  under- 

241 


The  King's  Agent 

stand  that  a  great  crisis  was  at  hand,  and  for  those  who 
wished  to  save  their  necks  from  the  anger  of  an  in- 
jured King,  returning  triumphant  to  his  own,  it  was 
now  or  never. 

Lady  Susan  had  departed  for  France  with  the 
money  she  received  from  Hugh.  Marie  was  to  follow 
at  her  own  time.  No  one  but  herself,  however,  and 
Karl  Brownker,  knew  that  this  was  to  be  with  Marl- 
borough.  It  was  not  even  whispered  that  Marlbor- 
ough  came  here. 

The  sun  bathed  her  in  its  light  as  she  sat  at  the  win- 
dow until  she  looked  like  some  rosy  goddess.  Her 
auburn  hair  shone  like  spun  gold,  and  her  face,  pale 
with  late  hours,  had  a  touch  of  etherealness  about  it 
that  gave  it  more  than  ordinary  charm. 

When  the  time  wanted  five  minutes  to  the  hour  she 
rose  and  put  her  writing  things  away. 

"  He  is  never  late,"  she  said  to  herself,  "  and  I 
must  prepare — prepare." 

Clang!  the  bell  resounded  hollow  and  sepulchral 
through  the  empty  house,  followed  by  Patrick's  heavy 
footstep.  Then  came  the  murmur  of  voices,  a  tread 
upon  the  stair,  and  Marlborough  stood  before  her. 

As  they  greeted  each  other  Marie  was  shocked  to 
see  severe  traces  of  suffering  and  anxiety  on  his  face. 
It  was  as  calm  as  usual,  but  thin  and  white  and 
worn. 

"The  letter  has  come?" 

He  spoke  in  a  quiet  tone,  but  with  a  slight 
abruptness  remarkable  for  him.  No  compliments, 
no  graceful  courtesy.  Only  one  brief,  pointed  ques- 
tion. 

Marie,  falling  at  once  into  his  mood,  made  no 
reply,  but  opening  her  escritoire,  took  out  the  packet 
she  had  shown  to  Hugh.  As  Marlborough  opened  it, 

242 


The  King's  Agent 

she  sank  into  a  chair  oppressed  by  a  sudden  trembling 
of  the  limbs. 

A  minute  passed  in  a  silence  broken  only  by  Marie's 
quick  breathing.  Her  hands  were  clutching  the  arms 
of  her  chair;  her  eyes  fixed  upon  his  face.  He  read 
the  letter  slowly  through  and  looked  at  her. 

"  The  King's  Majesty,"  he  said  in  a  slow,  measured 
tone,  "  writes  most  graciously  and  to  the  purpose. 
But  the  course  he  would  urge  on  me — to  fly  to  him  in 
France — is  very  desperate." 

Marie's  lips  were  almost  colourless,  and  her  face 
was  white  as  a  sheet,  but  she  answered  readily  enough. 

"  The  juncture  is  desperate — for  the  rebels." 

"  Wherefore,  dear  madam,"  and  now  his  words 
came  with  an  increasing  sternness.  "  A  man  whose 
life  is  at  the  mercy  of  these  rebels  must  think  well 
before  he  leaps." 

He  seemed  to  refer  it  as  a  question,  but  all  she 
could  say  was  to  repeat  his  words. 

"  Your  lordship  must  think  well." 

Something  filled  her  with  a  vague  alarm.  It  was 
not  exactly  the  expression  of  his  face,  which  was  com- 
posed; nor  his  voice,  which  was  quiet  and  controlled; 
and  yet,  in  part,  it  was  both,  and  she  was  frightened — 
frightened  to  death. 

"  I  thank  you,"  he  went  on,  "  but  I  need  more  aid 
from  you  than  that."  He  paused,  and  Marie  counted 
the  beating  of  her  heart.  "  I  need  the  truth." 

She  was  staring  at  him  now  like  a  person  mesmer- 
ized, her  eyes  slowly  dilating. 

"  I  will  tell  the  truth." 

He  bowed  and  took  snuff,  watching  her  the  while 
not  unkindly,  but  with  a  fixity  and  a  penetration  that 
was  almost  hypnotism. 

"This  letter— who  wrote  it?" 
243 


The  King's  Agent 

She  sighed  and  her  lips  closed,  then  opened  again 
to  speak. 

"  One  Robert  Young." 

"  Under  the  instruction  of  Karl  Brownker,  whom 
you  serve." 

Her  face  quivered  in  an  agony,  but  she  did  not 
pause. 

"  Whom  I  have  to  serve." 

"  It  is  his  intention  I  should  publish  to  the  world 
that  I  am  a  follower  of  King  James." 

"  Yes." 

"  And  he  would  banish  me  to  France,  that  my  fam- 
ily and  my  estate  might  be  at  his  master's  mercy  and 
his  own." 

"  No,  no." 

She  spoke  sharply,  vehemently,  and  a  slight  tinge 
of  colour  came  into  her  face,  as  of  a  person  recovering 
consciousness.  "  You  are  to  be  seized  when  you  reach 
the  coast,  and  thrown  into  the  Tower." 

"  He  gives  you  his  confidence,  you  think  ?  " 

"  No  more  than  suits  his  purpose.  But  I  have  set 
spies  on  him,  and  found  this  out." 

"  What  is  your  plan  ?  " 

"  To  tell  you  all  I  know,  my  lord,  and  then  to  do 
whatever  you  command." 

Marie  was  herself  again  now.  Colour,  movement, 
and  animation  had  returned  to  her  in  fullest  measure. 
She  was  confident,  full  of  vigour,  yet  charmingly  sub- 
missive and  obedient,  and  her  face  and  bearing  bore 
an  impress  of  devotion  to  him  few  men  could  have 
resisted. 

Marlborough  looked  at  her  meditatively. 

"  Your  plan,  pray,  in  detail,"  he  said,  "  if  I  may 
make  so  bold." 

His  tone  was  chilly  and  doubtful.  But  Marie,  with 
244 


The  King's  Agent 

her  full  vitality  returned  to  her,  was  not  in  the  least  dis- 
couraged or  abashed. 

"  It  is  a  simple  one,  easily  carried  out.  You  will  go 
to  France  before  your  enemies  expect.  I  will  mis- 
lead them,  never  fear  for  that.  In  France  the  King 
will  receive  your  lordship  open-armed,  and  in  a  short 
space — the  shortest — you  will  return  here  to  be  the 
greatest  man  in  England." 

"  King  James,"  Marlborough  said  coldly,  "  has 
much  to  do,  I  fear,  before  he  can  return  to  England." 

"  It  is  done,  my  lord." 

Marlborough  gave  an  impatient  sigh. 

"  My  good  madam,"  he  said,  "  such  words  may 
mean  something  in  St.  Germains." 

"  St.  Germains !  "  she  cried.  "  Nay,  my  lord,  La 
Hogue!" 

This  word,  and  the  way  the  word  was  spoken, 
arrested  Maryborough's  attention.  His  quiet  manner 
vanished  and  the  penetrating  intensity  of  glance  which 
had  been  in  his  eyes  when  he  questioned  her  about 
the  bogus  letter,  came  back. 

"  La  Hogue  is  on  the  coast.  If  the  King  is  at  the 
coast " 

But  Marie  made  a  vehement  demonstration  of  her 
hands  and  he  paused.  She  had  turned  away,  biting 
her  fingers  as  if  in  some  bitter  doubt  and  indecision. 

"  Merciful  God ! "  she  cried,  wringing  her  hands. 
"  I  have  broken  my  vow — and  I  swore  upon  the  Cross. 
We  all  did — and  none  but  me  has  so  much  as  whis- 
pered it.  I  am  lost — lost,  body  and  soul.  Holy  Moth- 
er, have  mercy  upon  me — have  mercy !  " 

She  fell  upon  her  knees  before  a  crucifix  placed  in 
a  corner  of  the  room — a  corner  in  which  the  dust  and 
cobwebs  had  gathered — and  sobbed  unrestrainedly. 

For  the  moment  she  forgot  even  Marlborough. 
245 


The  King's  Agent 

She  was  trying  to  pray,  but  her  throat  was  too  choked 
and  dry;  and  her  eyes,  through  their  scalding  tears, 
saw  the  old  priest  in  the  chapel  at  St.  Germains  as  he 
administered  the  oath  of  secrecy  the  day  before  she 
left  for  England.  The  exiled  King,  whom  she  loved 
after  a  fashion,  had  blessed  her  when  she  went  away, 
and  from  the  bottom  of  her  heart  she  had  vowed 
to  keep  inviolate  the  secret,  which  if  kept  until  the 
moment  came  for  action  would  win  him  back  his 
crown,  and  to  his  followers  the  highest  places  in  the 
Ir.nd. 

For  some  minutes  Marie  knelt  sobbing,  while 
Marlborough,  standing  near  her,  thought  swiftly.  At 
last  he  laid  a  gentle  hand  upon  her  shoulder. 

"  My  child,  you  need  not  grieve.  You  have  told 
me  nothing  I  did  not  know  before." 

She  started  and  rose  to  her  feet. 

"  You  mean  that  you  have  heard "    She  paused. 

"  I  mean,"  he  replied,  "  that  you  must  keep  your 
vow." 

"  How  can  you  know  ?    Who  can  have  told " 

"  Hush !  I  will  tell  you  what  I  know."  He  took 
her  hand  and  stroked  it  as  he  had  once  stroked  Isabel's, 
as  a  doctor  holds  his  patient's  pulse. 

"  King  Louis  has  resolved  to  act  at  last,  and  will 
strike  now,  while  William  is  in  Holland." 

"  Yes,  yes." 

"  Yes,"  he  went  on,  "  and  at  La  Hogue  is  an  army 
and  the  fleet  ready." 

"  Twenty  thousand  men !  "  she  cried,  containing 
herself  no  longer.  "  Twenty  thousand  veteran  soldiers ! 
In  England  for  William  there  are  barely  five  thousand, 
and  these  scattered." 

Marlborough  smiled  wanly. 

"  King  Louis  has  laid  his  plans  well."  His  face 
246 


The  King's  Agent 

was  perfectly  calm,  and  his  hand,  firm,  soft,  caressing, 
drew  her  nearer  to  him. 

"You  trust  me,  child?" 

She  nestled  close  until  she  brushed  his  shoulder 
with  her  hair. 

"  With  my  honour  and  my  life." 

He  started,  but  the  movement  was  so  slight  she 
did  not  notice  it.  She  only  saw  that  though  his  face 
was  white  as  marble,  and  as  hard,  there  was  a  fever- 
ish light  in  his  eyes,  and  her  heart  beat  fast  and  joy- 
fully. 

"  Tell  me,  my  child,  when  does  the  King  come 
over?" 

"  The  moment  that  the  wind  blows  from  the  west. 
The  fleet  is  equipped,  the  ships  are  full  of  men.  But  I 
wonder  " — she  paused  and  looked  up  with  a  searching 
glance — "  I  wonder  still  how  you  could  have  known." 

He  stooped  and  kissed  her  on  the  forehead,  and  her 
heart  glowed  within  her.  Yet  she  noticed  and  remem- 
bered afterward  that  his  lips  were  cold. 

"  At  least,"  he  said,  "  it  was  not  you  that  betrayed." 

She  gave  a  sudden  happy  laugh. 

"  I  care  not  now  the  least  what  I  betray  to  you." 

He  pressed  her  hand. 

"  Tell  all  then.  King  James  wants  me,  though  he 
did  not  write  a  letter  ?  " 

She  became  grave  at  once. 

"  Oh,  have  faith  in  me,  my  lord,  now.  I  beseech 
you  keep  faith.  I  will  own  it  all.  Karl  Brownker 
proposed  the  letter  should  be  writ  and  I  acquiesced  to 
humour  him,  never  intending  really  to  plant  the  hoax 
on  you.  But  when  I  saw  the  letter  it  was  so  wonder- 
fully done,  and  so  answered  the  purpose  in  my  mind  to 
draw  you. away  to  France,  that  I  fell  in  with  the 
roguery.  It  was  wrong,  I  own,  most  wrong,  and  I 

247 


The  King's  Agent 

shall  be  rightly  served  if  you  refuse  to  believe  in  me 
again,  but  it  was  not  done  to  betray  you." 

Marlborough  smiled  indulgently. 

"  We  all  must  make  mistakes.  But  I  had  been 
warned.  Then  his  Majesty  has  left  no  token?  " 

"  Indeed,"  Marie  cried,  "  I  have  a  token  not  even 
Robert  Young  could  counterfeit." 

She  turned  away,  took  something  from  her  bosom, 
and  handed  it  to  him.  It  was  a  little  leathern  bag. 
Marlborough  opened  it  and  took  out  a  plain  ring  with 
a  coat  of  arms,  wrapped  in  a  piece  of  dirty  paper.  On 
the  inner  side  of  the  paper  were  these  words,  scrawled 
in  a  regular  but  shaky  hand : 

"  For  my  Lord  Churchill,  from  James." 

Marie  watched  him  and  smiled  proudly  as  he  raised 
the  ring  with  reverence  and  kissed  it. 

"  And  now,  my  lord?  " 

"  God  save  the  King !  "  he  said  and  put  the  ring 
away.  Then  he  took  her  hand  again. 

"  When  do  you  wish  that  I  should  start  ?  " 

"  There  is  not  a  moment  to  be  lost." 

"  To-morrow,  then."  He  spoke  as  coolly,  she 
noticed,  as  if  he  were  going  to  make  a  call  upon  a 
friend.  "  I  cannot  arrange  before." 

"  That  will  be  soon  enough,  for  I  have  told  Brown- 
ker  the  next  day.  Oh,  I  have  plotted  deep  with  him, 
arranging  down  to  the  last  point  how  we  shall  both 
be  caught  together." 

She  laughed  gleefully  and  laid  her  head  against  his 
shoulder.  Again  Marlborough  started,  and  this  time 
she  felt  it,  and  with  a  flaming  face  drew  back.  But  he 
held  her  hand  like  a  vice. 

"  Give  me  full  instructions,"  he  said. 

"  Come  here  at  dusk.  I  will  have  disguises  ready. 
Patrick,  on  whom  we  can  thoroughly  depend,  will 

248 


The  King's  Agent 

see  that  horses  are  not  wanting  at  all  convenient  stages 
on  the  road,  and  there  is  a  vessel  at  a  port  fifty  good 
miles  from  the  one  I  have  marked  down  for  Mr. 
Brownker." 

"  Then  I  may  rest  content,"  he  said.  "  Now  I  must 
take  my  leave." 

"  So  soon !  "  she  cried. 

"  I  have  much  to  do  before  to-morrow." 

"  You  will  come  early  ?  " 

"  Depend  on  me." 

"  Indeed,  I  do  with  all  my  soul.  And  you,  my  lord, 
believe,  now  ?  Tell  me !  " 

Her  tone  was  almost  prayerful  in  its  urgency.  For 
answer  he  drew  her  towards  him  and  kissed  her  again, 
this  time  on  the  cheek. 

"  I  believe  wholly.    Farewell." 

A  gust  of  wind  blew  against  the  window-pane. 
Marie  turned  eagerly  and  clasped  his  hands. 

"  See  you,  see  you !  The  wind  has  changed  to  the 
southwest.  It  blows  from  France." 

But  there  was  no  reply.    Her  visitor  had  gone. 


249 


CHAPTER   XXVII 

LORD  TOTTENHAM  was  sitting  in  his  library  alone, 
after  his  midday  dinner,  discussing  a  bottle  of  wine. 
This  was  a  time  of  day  when  his  lordship  was  usu- 
ally in  the  happiest  of  humours.  But  this  afternoon 
he  was  gloomy  and  depressed.  He  had  been  so,  in- 
deed, all  the  week,  since  Hugh  stole  the  march  upon 
him,  and  with  Brownker's  help  held  audience  with  the 
King. 

Lord  Tottenham  was  hurt ;  he  was  also  keenly  sus- 
picious of  Brownker's  intentions;  finally,  he  had  not 
the  smallest  confidence  in  Hugh's  discretion  and  judg- 
ment. 

"  They  will  toss  him — hand  to  hand — as  boys  toss 
balls  at  play,"  he  said  to  himself  a  dozen  times,  "  and 
lead  him  blindfold  to  a  pit.  If  I  but  knew  their  object, 
and  could  set  Jack  Marlborough  on  the  trail !  Gad's 
life !  we'd  smoke  'em !  But  I  know  nothing,  and  can 
only  wait — wait — wait !  A  pest  upon  it !  " 

On  this  particular  afternoon  his  lordship  was  more 
than  usually  out  of  humour,  for  he  had  invited  Hugh 
to  dine  with  him,  his  invitation  had  been  accepted,  and 
Hugh  had  not  arrived.  The  earl  had  waited  half  an 
hour,  then  ordered  dinner  up,  and  found  it  very  little 
to  his  taste. 

He  drank  slowly  a  bottle  of  wine,  and  had  just  be- 
gun another  when  he  heard  the  bell  ring  sharply,  and 
the  steps  of  his  servant  ushering  a  visitor  upstairs. 

250 


The  King's  Agent 

"  The  boy  at  last,"  he  muttered,  all  his  ill-humour 
vanishing.  "  I  knew  he  would  not  fail." 

The  door  opened,  and  the  butler  appeared,  pant- 
ing. 

"  The  Earl  of  Marlborough,  my  lord." 

A  twinge  of  disappointment  passed  over  Lord  Tot- 
tenham's face,  but  when  his  friend  came  in  he  greeted 
him  cordially. 

"  You,  Jack !  What  good  wind  brings  you  here  at 
this  hour?" 

Marlborough  shook  hands  in  silence.  When  the 
door  closed  behind  the  servant  he  answered : 

"  A  west  wind,  Ned — from  France." 

Lord  Tottenham  recoiled  against  the  table. 

"  France !    Hell  and  damnation,  what  d'ye  mean  ?  " 

Marlborough's  reply  was  to  pour  himself  out,  and 
drink,  a  glass  of  wine.  Lord  Tottenham  now  perceived 
that  he  was  deadly  pale,  and  that  his  clothes  were 
splashed  with  mud  to  the  neck. 

"  There,  sit  ye,  Jack,"  he  said,  quietly  placing  a 
chair  for  him.  "  You  are  worn  out.  Sit  and  rest." 

Marlborough  emptied  a  second  glass,  and  then 
wiped  his  lips,  with  his  usual  nicety  and  deliberation. 

"  Neither  you  nor  I,  Ned,  will  rest  to-night.  If  this 
wind  holds  for  four-and-thirty  hours,  James  will  be  at 
Plymouth  with  twenty  thousand  men." 

Lord  Tottenham  gasped  for  breath,  then  gnashed 
his  teeth  in  his  friend's  face. 

"  By  Gad,  then,  the  babble  of  the  clubs  was  true. 
And  you  have  come  to  laugh !  " 

He  raised  his  clenched  hand  as  if  to  seize  Marlbor- 
ough's throat.  It  was  caught  and  held  with  a  grip  of 
iron. 

"  I  came  here,  my  lord,  to  advise  you,  as  privy- 
councillor  to  her  Majesty,  to  go  instantly  to  the  Sec- 
17  251 


The  King's  Agent 

retary  of  State,  and  devise  means  for  the  protection  of 
the  coast.  They  have  not  landed  yet." 

Lord  Tottenham's  hand  fell  to  his  side. 

"  I  believe  you,  Jack,"  he  said,  slowly  and  heavily. 
"  I  swear  I  thought  on  the  instant  you'd  a  regiment  of 
French  cuirassiers,  and  had  taken  London  by  sur- 
prise." 

"  Nay,"  Marlborough  answered,  smiling,  "  only 
Ned  Tottenham.  But  there  is  no  time  to  lose." 

Lord  Tottenham's  answer  was  to  pull  the  bell-rope 
till  it  broke.  A  servant  appeared  with  a  quickness 
which  suggested  that  he  had  been  listening  at  the  key- 
hole. 

"  A  horse  within  five  minutes !  "  he  cried ;  "  you 
hear  ?  Five  minutes !  'Tis  life  or  death !  " 

The  man  fled,  and  Lord  Tottenham  came  back  to 
where  Marlborough,  standing  by  the  fire-place,  was 
flicking  his  boot  with  a  riding-whip. 

"  Zounds,  Jack !    I  should  crave  forgiveness." 

"  Tut,  Ned ;  what  you  have  said  to-day  all  London 
will  confirm  to-morrow." 

"  Then  all  London  will  most  damnably  lie !  And, 
by  the  Lord,  I  will  declare  at  the  Council,  to  the  Sec- 
retary and  to  the  Queen,  that  you  brought  the  news. 
To-morrow  you  shall  command  the  army." 

Marlborough  shook  his  head.  "  If  you  love  me, 
Ned,  you  will  not  breathe  my  name.  Nay,  you  must 
swear  to  it." 

Lord  Tottenham  frowned.    "  If  I  must " 

"  You  must." 

"  Then  I  will  swear.    But  why  I  cannot  see." 

"  Listen,  old  friend.  A  trap  is  laid  for  me.  At  any 
moment  I  may  be  seized,  accused  of  treason,  and 
thrown  into  the  Tower.  Now  mark  me  well.  If 
this  comes  about  you  may,  in  private,  tell  her  Majesty, 

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The  King's  Agent 

or  the  King,  that  I  came  here  with  this  news  to  you. 
Take  note  of  time  and  circumstance,  and  make  oath 
upon  it.  But  tell  no  one  now.  Indeed  " — he  smiled 
faintly — "  there  is  no  one  who'd  believe  it." 

"  Nay,  there  is  one,"  Lord  Tottenham  exclaimed. 
"  My  lad,  Hugh." 

Marlborough  nodded. 

"  True,  I  had  forgotten  him,  and  his  name  reminds 
me  of  another  matter.  A  presentiment  is  with  me  that 
you  and  I  may  not  meet  again,  Ned.  Remember  this : 
that  girl,  Isabel  Fretchville,  has  no  protector  but  my- 
self and  my  dear  wife.  Her  father  is  a  drunken  sot. 
If  my  estate  is  confiscated,  I  commend  her  to  your 
care  and  guardianship.  Take  her  to  your  house — 
marry  her  to  your  boy ;  you  will  not  find  her  stubborn, 
I'll  be  sworn !  " 

Lord  Tottenham's  eyes  brightened,  and  a  grim 
smile  lurked  about  the  corners  of  his  mouth. 

"  Karl  Brownker,  then,  is  not  in  favour." 

Marlborough  looked  straight  into  his  friend's 
eyes. 

"  Karl  Brownker,  Ned,  has  laid  this  trap  for  me. 
He  has  drawn,  and  thrown  away  the  scabbard.  Haste ! 
There  are  the  horses." 

There  was  a  clatter  outside,  and  then  the  sound  of 
feet  running  upstairs,  and  Ben,  Lord  Tottenham's  fa- 
vourite groom,  opening  the  door  without  knocking, 
saluted  with  a  stolid  face.  "  All  ready,  my  lord." 

The  words  were  scarcely  out  of  his  mouth  when 
some  one  entered  behind  him. 

"Hugh!"  exclaimed  Lord  Tottenham.  "'Odds- 
bub,  boy,  you  have  come  in  the  very  nick." 

But  at  this  Marlborough  shook  his  head. 

Hugh  pressed  Lord  Tottenham's  hand,  and  then, 
turning  to  Marlborough,  saluted  him  with  a  face  so 

253 


The  King's  Agent 

grim  and  forbidding  that  a  sudden  suspicion  seized 
Lord  Tottenham,  and  held  him  almost  breathless. 

"  My  Lord  of  Marlborough,  Hugh,"  he  said,  watch- 
ing Hugh's  face  keenly,  "  has  brought  good  news. 
You  have  his  full  permission  to  ride  to  St.  Albans  when 
you  will." 

Hugh  responded  with  a  formal  bow. 

"  My  service  to  his  lordship.  But  I  wish  a  word 
with  you,  my  lord,  before  you  leave  the  house." 

Lord  Tottenham  shot  a  glance  at  Marlborough, 
who  nodded  back. 

"  I  am  going,  Ned,"  he  said,  "  you  will  recollect 
there  is  no  time  to  lose." 

He  turned  to  leave  the  room,  upon  which  Hugh 
raised  his  hand  as  if  he  would  have  stopped  him.  He 
dropped  it  instantly,  on  second  thought,  but  Marl- 
borough  saw  the  gesture  and  turned  back. 

"  Your  groom,  Ned,  is  needed  below  stairs." 

Ben  looked  at  his  master  and  left  the  room. 

"  Montgomery,  I  know,  is  loyal,"  Marlborough 
went  on  curtly.  "  I  have  pleasure  in  taking  him  into 
our  confidence.  Sir,  I  have  just  informed  my  Lord 
Tottenham  that  I  have  discovered  this  day  that  the 
French  fleet  sails  for  England  with  twenty  thousand 
men  at  the  first  fair  wind.  You  have  come  perhaps  to 
confirm  my  words." 

Hugh  stared  from  one  to  the  other  in  utter  bewil- 
derment. 

"  Great  heavens !    My  lord,  I  know  nothing  of  it." 

"  Then,  Ned,"  Marlborough  said,  smiling,  "  they 
have  kept  their  secret  fast — and  there  is  time.  A  good- 
night, both." 

He  bowed  and  left  the  room. 

Hugh  turned  upon  Lord  Tottenham. 

"  This  news  was  brought  by — by — the  earl  ?  " 
254 


The  King's  Agent 

Lord  Tottenham  was  now  dragging  on  his  riding 
boots. 

"  By  no  one  else.  Wherefore  to  Lord  Marlbor- 
ough  we  shall  owe  the  safety  of  the  country — if  it  can 
be  saved. — Ben !  "  The  groom  came  back.  "  In  what 
direction  lays  the  wind  ?  " 

"  It  has  changed,  my  lord." 

"  The  devil  seize  you,"  roared  his  master ; 
"  changed  to  what  ?  " 

"  It  blows  due  east,  my  lord." 

"  God  be  praised !  Let  it  but  hold  so  another  day 
and  night,  and  with  Marlborough  at  the  coast  in  full 
command —  They  shall  give  him  full  command  if  I 
can  compass  it " 

"  The  Lord  forbid !  "  Hugh  exclaimed  passionately. 

Lord  Tottenham  stared,  then  he  stamped  his  foot. 

"  Ben,  get  you  out. — Now,  lad,"  as  the  groom  de- 
parted, "  there  is  something  in  your  gizzard  touching 
Marlborough.  Bring  it  out." 

"  I  came  to  tell  you.  I  have  seen  evidence  that 
proves  beyond  denial  Marlborough  to  be  in  league 
with  James,  planning  the  capture  of  the  Queen." 

Lord  Tottenham's  face  became  livid  to  the  lips. 

"  Who  stuffed  you  with  such  lies  ?  " 

"  It  is  no  lie !  "  Hugh  said  angrily ;  "  a  paper  set- 
ting all  this  forth  was  shown  me,  signed  by  his  name, 
and  I  have  since  seen  a  letter  writ  by  James  to  him 
confirming  all." 

"  What — what — what !  "  groaned  the  other ;  "  you, 
Margaret's  child,  have  been  playing  spy!  Oh,  my 
God,  this  is  bitterest  of  all." 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  sir,"  Hugh  cried,  now  fairly 
beside  himself,  "  take  not  that  tone  with  me,  or  I  shall 
say  what  we  shall  neither  afterward  forgive.  I  have 
been  no  spy,  but  have  gained  honestly  certain  knowl- 

255 


The  King's  Agent 

edge  of  the  most  damnable  and  cold-blooded  plot  that 
ever  was  devised.  I  have  this  moment  learned  that 
Marlborough  has  agreed  to  fly  to  France  himself  in 
two  days'  time.  What  think  you  of  that  ?  " 

"  You  have  heard  this  from  whom  ?  " 

"  I  know  it  to  be  truth." 

"  And  I  know  that  it's  a  lie !  " 

"  I  wish  it  might  be.  But  on  my  soul,  I  have  proved 
it  truth." 

"  So  you  say,  and  may  think.  Ay,  I'll  believe  you 
honest,  Hugh.  But,  harkee :  there  never  lived  a 
greater  dupe ;  you  are  a  pawn  in  another's  game.  I  see 
all  now." 

Lord  Tottenham  spoke  with  bitterness  and  pas- 
sion. 

"  While  you  have  been  talking  I  have  been  think- 
ing, boy.  Now,  tell  me  this.  Who  was  it  showed  you 
the  letter  signed  by  Marlborough  ?  Do  I  not  know  his 
name !  Why,  he  is  the  most  accursed  villain  in  the 
land.  Do  I  not  know  him,  I  say  ?  " 

Hugh  smiled  grimly. 

"  You  know  him  well,  my  lord.  It  was  his  Majesty 
the  King." 


256 


CHAPTER   XXVIII 

MARLBOROUGH  went  from  Lord  Tottenham's  di- 
rect to  his  wife  at  the  residence  of  the  Princess  Anne, 
Berkeley  House.  He  had  not  been  seen  there  so  far 
since  he  had  been  in  London,  as  it  was  essential  that 
his  presence  in  town  should  not  be  publicly  known; 
but  news  had  come  to  him,  just  before  he  started  for 
Chelsea,  which  sent  him  to  the  countess  in  hot  haste 
as  soon  as  that  business  was  over. 

He  found  Berkeley  House  in  a  state  of  extraordi- 
nary bustle  and  unrest.  Servants  were  running  up  and 
down  and  whispering  to  one  another  in  the  passages, 
and  three  physicians  who  had  been  in  attendance  on 
her  Highness  were  standing  in  the  hall  in  hot  discus- 
sion. Upon  Marlborough's  appearance  they  saluted 
him  respectfully,  and  would  have  called  him  into  coun- 
sel, but  before  the  subject  could  be  opened  a  servant 
hurried  up  with  word  that  he  must  go  to  the  countess 
instantly.  He  found  the  Lady  Sarah  in  a  small  ante- 
room leading  to  the  apartments  of  the  princess.  She 
was  walking  up  and  down,  her  beautiful  hair  di- 
shevelled, her  face  scarlet  with  passion. 

"  They  lied,  then,"  she  cried  by  way  of  greeting. 
'  'T  was  said  you  were  in  the  Tower.  Thank  God  it 
was  a  lie ;  I  could  not  have  borne  another  moment  by 
myself." 

Marlborough  went  to  her,  smoothed  back  the  gold- 

257 


The  King's  Agent 

en  hair,  and  gave  her  a  long,  lingering  kiss,  with  lips 
that  were  not  cold  now. 

"  My  dear  heart — my  soul — why  do  you  listen  to 
such  lies  ?  If  I  am  seized,  which  may  be  any  day,  have 
I  not  promised  to  send  you  word.  Tell  me  what  is 
amiss  here." 

She  straightened  herself,  and  starting  from  him, 
paced  the  room  again. 

"  If  I  could  get  that  woman's  face  within  my  fin- 
gers I  would  tear  the  skin  from  it  in  strips." 

"  You  mean  ?  "  he  coughed  uneasily. 

"  Mean,  my  lord !  Have  you  grown  stupid  of  a 
sudden?  Whom  should  I  mean  but  Mary,  wife  to  the 
black  pig,  William  ?  But  I  must  tell  you  " — quieting 
down  a  moment — "  how  this  woman  has  passed  all 
bounds  of  decency  and  sense  in  her  hate  for  me, 
though  I  have  never  harmed  her  by  a  word  or 
deed ! " 

Marlborough  sighed. 

"  I  heard  the  guards  had  been  withdrawn  by  order 
of  the  Queen." 

"  And  that  was  bad  enough !  Anne,  whose  child 
is  heir,  and  who  if  that  boy  dies  will  be  Queen 
one  day  herself,  must  now  live  like  any  commoner,  and 
all  because  she  is  my  friend.  .  .  .  But  there  is  worse 
since.  Knowing  the  poor  dear  wishes  above  all  things 
for  peace  and  quietness  and  the  kindness  of  her  friends, 
this  devilish  woman  has  sent  private  word  round  the 
court  that  all  are  forbid  under  the  pain  of  their  Ma- 
jesty's most  serious  displeasure  to  call  upon  or  in  any 
other  wise  to  pay  the  least  attention  to  the  Princess 
Anne." 

Marlborough  looked  very  grave. 

"  If  the  Queen  pursues  her  purpose  we  must  sub- 
mit at  last." 

258 


The  King's  Agent 

The  countess  turned  upon  him,  her  face  in  a  glare 
of  concentrated  passion. 

"What!  My  lord?"  she  whispered.  "What! 
Submit!  Hearken  to  this.  Though  this  Mary,  this 
Pope  in  petticoats,  plastered  with  texts  outside,  black 
as  the  pit  within,  strips  me  of  every  penny  I  possess, 
makes  me  go  barefoot  and  in  rags,  she  shall  never  force 
me  to  submit.  Anne  may  yield.  Poor  soul,  she  is 
considering  now,  and  we  are  to  go  into  her  presence 
and  hear  what  answer  she  will  send  her  sister.  But  if 
she  does  not,  let  Mary  do  her  worst.  I  defy  and  scorn 
her.  I  will  trample  on  her,  Queen  of  England  though 
she  be,  as  long  as  we  two  live." 

"  The  Queen,  then,"  Marlborough  said,  as  if  he  had 
not  heard  the  last  words,  "  has  written  to  the  princess. 
You  did  not  tell  me  that." 

"  The  most  bitter,  cruel  letter  that  you  ever  saw. 
Dismiss  my  Lady  Marlborough  —  the  letter  ran,  in 
effect  —  or  I  will  never  see  or  speak  to  you  again.  Can 
spite  go  further,  even  in  a  pious  woman  ?  " 

"  The  princess  feels  it  deeply  ?  " 

"  Her    heart    is    nigh    broken.      That    accursed 


"Hush,  hush!" 

Marlborough  spoke  now  in  a  tone  he  rarely  used 
towards  the  Lady  Sarah,  and  which  many  people  be- 
lieved he  dared  not  use. 

"  Hush,  I  say.  You  know  there  are  ears  at  every 
door,  and  tongues  to  repeat  every  word  at  St.  James's. 
Besides,  this  is  no  time  for  passion.  Our  position  is 
most  critical.  I  have  news,  vital  news,  to  which  we 
must  give  thought  calmly  ;  we  shall  be  ruined  if  we 
act  in  heat." 

"  Heat,  my  lord  ?  "  Sarah  said  in  a  cool  and  injured 
tone.  "  No  one  is  heated  that  I  know  of,  unless  it  is 

259 


The  King's  Agent 

yourself  with  your  poor  wife.  I  am  as  cold  as  water  " 
— she  gave  a  little  laugh — "  after  it  has  boiled.  I  defy 
the  Queen  or  any  of  her  women  to  say  that  I  have  been 
wanting  in  due  respect  or  ever  failed  " — she  paused, 
then  continued  in  a  louder  tone — "  to  perform  the 
duty  of  a  loyal  and  a  humble  subject." 

There  were  steps  in  the  passage  outside ;  the  door 
opened,  and  a  gentleman,  attired  in  so  tightly  fitting  a 
suit  of  black  silk  that  at  any  violence  of  movement 
something  disastrous  must  have  happened  to  him, 
bowed  stiffly  twice. 

"  May  it  please  your  ladyship,  and  you,  my  Lord 
Marlborough,  to  attend  her  Royal  Highness,  who 
commands  me  to  say  that  your  presence  is  desired, 
and  who  sends " 

"  Lud  save  us,  Sir  Anthony !  "  cried  the  countess, 
catching  up  her  train  and  sweeping  past  him,  "  but  I 
trust  her  Highness  will  not  put  into  her  business  as 
many  words  as  you  spin  out  of  nothing,  or  we  shall 
be  waiting  on  her  all  night  long !  " 

The  gentleman  in  waiting  bridled  like  an  angry  tur- 
key-cock at  this  rudeness,  but  a  certain  expression  in 
the  countess's  face,  as  she  looked  at  him  with  her 
head  on  one  side,  caused  him  to  think  discretion  the 
better  part  of  valour,  and  he  silently  led  the  way  to  the 
princess's  closet. 

In  a  nobly  furnished  room  two  persons  were  await- 
ing the  Marlboroughs'  arrival — a  lady  reclining  on  a 
couch,  and  a  tall,  stout  gentleman  in  an  arm-chair  close 
by.  This  gentleman,  Anne's  husband,  Prince  George 
of  Denmark,  had  a  broad  open  face,  dull,  but  frank  and 
good-natured.  He  was  a  man  of  no  mark,  sneered  at 
by  James,  despised  by  William,  yet  possessing  one  dis- 
tinction which  neither  of  these  royal  personages  could 
lay  claim  to.  He  was  a  true  and  faithful  husband,  and 

260 


The  King's  Agent 

Anne,  in  her  many  bitter  troubles,  found  comfort  in 
poor  George.  Though  not  attempting  to  enter  upon 
any  independent  action  of  his  own,  he  never  submitted 
to  dictation  by  the  court  where  his  wife  was  concerned, 
and  he  supported  her  loyally  in  all  her  disputes  with 
William  and  Mary. 

The  Princess  herself  had  a  fat  plain  face — pale  now, 
and  drawn  with  suffering.  There  was  no  beauty  in  it, 
but  it  was  the  face  of  a  kindly,  well-intentioned  woman, 
who  did  her  best  to  do  her  duty,  but  frequently  found 
the  world  and  her  own  friends  too  much  for  her. 

Sir  Anthony  opened  the  door  with  a  flourish,  an- 
nounced the  Marlboroughs,  and  then  hastily  retired. 

Prince  George  rose  to  bow  awkwardly  to  Sarah, 
and  to  shake  hands  with  Marlborough.  Anne  raised 
herself  slightly  on  one  elbow,  and  smiled  her  greeting. 

"  Tell  them,  George,"  she  said  tremulously,  taking 
Sarah's  hand  and  placing  it  against  her  heart,  while  she 
held  one  out  to  Marlborough,  who  kissed  it  as  if  it 
were  his  Sovereign's. 

"  On  my  soul,  I  cannot  put  words  to  it  just  now." 

"  Her  Highness,"  the  prince  said,  speaking  in  curt, 
broken  English,  "  do  say  she  love  you  so,  that,  though 
people  should  threat  to  kill  her,  she  will  not  part  from 
you  unless  you  be  afraid  to  stay." 

"  And  he  thinks  the  same,  my  dear,"  the  princess 
added.  "  George  thinks  just  the  same.  No  one,  my 
lord,  shall  take  my  dear  Mrs.  Freeman  from  her  poor, 
faithful  Morley,  except  by  her  own  wish  or  yours. 
Now  pray,  both  of  you,  let  me  know  your  minds.  I 
have  made  up  mine." 

They  were  kneeling  before  her  now.  Sarah,  over- 
come for  once,  was  weeping,  and,  with  a  rare  move- 
ment of  affection,  caught  her  mistress's  hand  and 
kissed  it. 

261 


The  King's  Agent 

V 

"  We  will  stay  with  you,  madam,"  she  exclaimed, 
"  always !  "  Then  she  paused.  Her  keen  eyes  scanned 
her  friend's  gentle  face  and  the  poor  dull  one  of  the 
prince,  and  she  thought  of  the  strong,  cold  will  of  the 
Queen,  with  the  support  behind  it  of  William's  keen, 
resourceful  brain.  Was  it  a  fair  match?  What  would 
the  end  of  such  a  struggle  be  to  her  mistress?  And 
the  cause  of  it  all  was  herself !  A  revulsion  of  feeling 
swept  into  her  heart. 

"  No,"  she  cried  suddenly.  "  It  is  not  right  your 
Highness  should  suffer  so  for  me.  My  lord  " — she 
looked  back  at  her  husband — "  tell  the  princess  what 
I  mean — what  you  said  to  me." 

There  was  a  hesitancy  in  her  tone  now ;  already  she 
had  begun  to  repent  her  generosity,  but  she  would 
not  draw  back.  There  was  no  hesitation  in  Marlbor- 
ough's  response. 

"  Madam,  we  love  your  service,  and  you  know  it, 
but  you  do  not  know  yet  how  much  we  love  your- 
self. Were  we  to  think  for  an  instant  of  standing 
between  you  and  her  Majesty  we  should  not  be 
worthy  of  a  thought  from  you.  Our  gracious  Queen, 
your  Sovereign  and  our  own,  commands  that  you 
dismiss  us.  Pray,  in  your  reply  to  her,  think  only 
of  your  own  happiness  and  peace.  We  shall  never 
change  or  falter  in  our  love  or  service.  Far  or  near, 
in  disgrace  or  in  prosperity,  we  must  ever  be  your 
servants,  your  humble  but  devoted  followers  and 
friends." 

His  voice  failed  a  moment,  and  then  he  concluded : 
"  Nothing,  I  say,  can  change  our  hearts.  Do  with  us 
as  you  will." 

All  were  weeping  now,  Prince  George  snuffling 
loudest  of  all,  like  a  bear  with  a  cold.  But  at  Marl- 
borough's  last  words,  Anne  raised  herself  from  the 

262 


The  King's  Agent, 

couch  and  sat  erect.  Her  weakness  had  fallen  from 
her. 

"  My  dears,"  she  said,  using  the  homely  familiar 
term  she  bestowed  upon  her  intimates,  but  speaking  in 
a  tone  that  was  very  strange  to  Lady  Marlborough's 
ears,  "  there  is  no  more  to  say  now  I  know  your  minds. 
The  Queen,  my  lord,  in  laying  her  commands  on  me 
is  pleased  to  ask  me  to  obey  her  out  of  consideration 
for  her  sisterly  affection,  but  she  should  show  that 
affection  if  she  wishes  me  to  see  it.  I  have  writ  her 
a  reply,  and  now  I'll  send  it.  We  will  never  part, 
my  lord.  While  poor  Mrs.  Morley  lives  you  shall  have 
her  countenance,  and  share  whatever  fortune  sends  her 
even  as  your  dear  wife  will  have  her  love."  She  held 
out  her  hands  to  both,  and,  as  they  kissed  them,  added 
with  a  quaint  smile :  "  I  am  a  poor  friend  now,  my 
dears,  but  some  day  I  may  not  be  quite  so  poor." 

"  And  when  that  day  comes,"  Maryborough  ex- 
claimed, "  all  we  desire  is  that  your  Majesty  may  have 
cause  to  say  that  we  have  been  as  faithful  in  our  service 
as  you  have  been  generous  to  your  servants." 

"  Amen,"  echoed  Lady  Sarah  through  her  tears. 
"Amen." 


263 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

ALL  afternoon  after  Marlborough's  departure  and 
most  of  the  night  Marie  toiled  to  get  everything  in 
readiness  for  the  flitting.  Papers  were  burnt,  furni- 
ture was  packed  away,  and  the  few  precious  ornaments 
and  other  unportable  household  goods  she  still  pos- 
sessed were  buried  in  the  garden.  Everything  was 
done  by  noon  of  the  next  day,  and  then  Marie  had 
nothing  to  do  but  brood  and  plan,  hope  and  fear.  This 
was  bad  for  her  nerves,  and  Patrick,  who  cooked  her  a 
dainty  dinner,  was  dismayed  to  find  she  would  touch 
nothing.  But  Patrick  was  an  old  soldier.  He  put  the 
dish  down  upon  the  table  and  gave  an  emphatic  snort 
of  indignation. 

"  So  ye'll  ruin  all  bekase  the  omelette  is  bad." 

"  The  omelette  looks  very  good,"  she  said  indif- 
ferently. "  I  have  no  appetite." 

He  sighed  deeply  and  began  buttoning  up  his  coat. 

"  'Bade,  then,  there's  no  help  for  it,"  he  said.  "  A 
good  afternoon,  mistress." 

Marie  looked  at  him  in  astonishment. 

"  Where  are  you  going?  " 

"  Home,  to  ould  Ireland,"  was  the  sepulchral  reply. 
"  At  least  away  from  here  as  fast  as  me  two  feet  will 
carry  me." 

Marie  frowned.  "  This  is  all  a  pretence  to  force 
me  to  eat  the  thing." 

"  Pretence !  "  he  cried.  "  Little  pretence  is  there  in 
264 


The  King's  Agent 

it;  as  little  as  in  your  white  face  and  tremblin'  hands. 
No  sooner  will  ye  be  on  the  road,  now,  than  ye'll  dhrop 
like  wet  paper,  and  we'll  be  took  and  hanged.  Bedad, 
but  I'd  not  be  hanged  for  an  omelette  nor  yet  for  a 
fanciful  lady  at  all.  So  eat,  or  I'm  off,  mistress.  Ye've 
had  nothing,  to  my  knowledge,  for  four-and-twenty 
hours.  Oh,  I'm  in  earnest  just !  " 

Marie  smiled  and  held  out  her  hand  for  the  plate. 

"  Give  it  to  me.    Your  arguments  are  irresistible." 

"  Arguments,  now,"  Pat  replied  with  a  complacent 
smile,  "  are  like  omelettes,  ma'am.  They  take  no  time 
to  swallow  if  they  are  well  made.  I'll  go  feed  the 
horses." 

Dusk  came  early,  and  before  six  the  bell  rang  softly 
and  Patrick  saluted  Marlborough  in  the  hall. 

Marlborough  looked  at  him  attentively. 

"  You  said  once,  sergeant,  you  would  do  me  serv- 
ice." 

"  To  the  hour  of  death,  my  lord." 

"  Then  harkee :  if  by  a  mischance  we  separate  to- 
night, be  you  answerable  for  your  mistress's  security. 
Guard  her  with  your  life." 

The  Irishman  stared  in  surprise,  and  then  grimly 
saluted. 

"  When  I  was  fightin'  for  King  William  an'  prayin' 
for  King  James,  my  lord,  'twas  said  your  lordship 
never  axed  your  men  to  do  what  ye'd  not  do  yourself. 
'Bade,  that  was  a  mistake,  I'm  thinkin'.  But  be  sure 
of  this,  I'll  not  follow  your  example." 

Having  said  which,  Pat  wheeled  abruptly,  and 
walked  off  with  great  strides  before  Marlborough 
could  reply. 

Marlborough  found  Marie  in  riding  dress,  with  a 
cloak  and  hood  thrown  over  a  chair  in  readiness.  Her 
face  was  bright  and  eager,  and  she  came  forward  with 

265 


The  King's  Agent 

both  hands  out.    He  took  them  in  his  own,  but  instead 
of  kissing  her,  held  her  gently  at  arm's  length. 

"  Sit  down,  my  child,  and  let  us  talk." 

She  obeyed  him,  but  all  the  colour  fled  from  her 
face. 

"  I  am  come  according  to  my  promise,"  he  said  in 
his  quietest  tone.  "  But  it  is  to  tell  you  that  I  cannot 
leave  my  home,  not  even  for  King  James." 

"  You  have  thought  better  of  it  all  ?  " 

She  spoke  as  quietly  as  he,  but  in  her  face  he  de- 
tected the  vibration  of  a  coming  storm. 

"  I  told  you  yesterday,"  he  said  with  slow  pre- 
cision, "  that  a  man  in  my  position  must  look  well  be- 
fore he  leaps.  I  have  looked  now,  and  find  I  cannot 
leap  at  all." 

She  sat  still  a  moment,  staring  at  him.  All  the 
feverish  intensity  which  the  day  before  lay  behind  his 
self-possession  had  disappeared  as  completely  as  if  he 
had  never  touched  her  hand  with  his  finger-tips,  never 
called  her  friend,  never  drawn  her  head  upon  his 
breast. 

"  Oh,  you  betrayer !  " 

She  hissed  the  words  at  him,  springing  from  her 
chair  as  though  she  would  fly  at  his  throat.  "  How 
I  hate  and  despise  you !  You  are  meaner,  and  more 
false,  than  any  man  I  ever  saw,  and  I  have  known  some 
liars!" 

"  Mistress  Marie " 

"  Silence,  or  I  shall  forget  my  womanhood  and 
strike  you !  Why,  why  did  I  let  you  fool  me  ?  What 
possessed  me  that  I  should  be  so  mad !  I  trusted 
you.  You,  who  have  now  betrayed  all,  I  warrant,  to 
my  worst  enemies.  Oh,  that  I  could  go  really  mad 
and  kill  you  where  you  stand!  But  I  have  not 
strength." 

266 


The  King's  Agent 

"  I  pray  you,  madam,  calm  yourself,"  he  said  gently. 

"  Be  silent !  "  she  cried,  stamping  her  foot,  "  and 
leave  me."  She  pointed  to  the  door. 

"  That  is  impossible ;  you  are  in  danger." 

She  laughed  shrilly. 

"  Oh,  my  lord,  my  lord,  you  do  me  too  great  hon- 
our. My  danger!  You  mean  your  own." 

"  You  do  not  in  the  least  catch  my  meaning,"  he 
said  in  a  grave  tone.  "  When  you  are  yourself " 

"  A  thousand  thanks ;  I  am  now  returning  to  my- 
self. Shall  I  call  my  servant?  " 

Marlborough's  face  now  grew  stern. 

"  Come,  come,  madam,"  he  exclaimed  in  a  tone  so 
commanding  that  Marie,  though  panting  in  her  anger, 
was  compelled  to  listen  at  last.  "  This  must  end  at 
once.  The  step  that  you  proposed  would  have  been 
madness,  as  much  for  you  as  for  myself.  But  there  is 
another  I  can  take,  and  you  with  me." 

"With  you?" 

She  stared  at  him  spellbound. 

"  That  is,  if  you  choose  to  go  with  me,"  he  said 
coldly. 

"  Pray  tell  me,"  she  cried,  "  tell  me ;  I  never 
dreamed — I  thought  you  were  deserting  me." 

"  No  such  thought  came  into  my  mind,"  he  said 
reproachfully.  "  What  I  wished  to  tell  you,  had  I 
been  allowed,  was  that  my  wife,  the  countess,  requests 
the  honour  of  your  company  at  Berkeley  House  to- 
night." 

Marie  leaned  helplessly  against  a  chair. 

"  Her  ladyship !  "  she  ejaculated.  "  Berkeley 
House — merciful  heavens !  " 

"  Our  plan  is  this,"  Marlborough  went  on  in  a 
matter-of-fact  tone,  totally  ignoring  the  obvious  agita- 
tion of  his  companion,  the  alternate  hope  and  fear, 
18  267 


The  King's  Agent 

joy  and  disappointment  that  passed  in  quick  succession 
over  her  face,  and  left  it  at  the  end  almost  as  bewildered 
as  at  the  beginning.  "  You  have  prepared  for  a  jour- 
ney  in  good  faith,  but  it  is  a  hundred  chances  to  one 
that  Brownker  has  smelt  this  out,  and  has  everything 
arranged  to  seize  us  on  the  way.  To  elude  him  we  must 
double  on  the  track,  and  ride  to  London,  not  from  it. 
You  shall  enter  Berkeley  House  by  a  door  my  wife  will 
open ;  a  chamber  is  prepared  for  you  which  no  one 
will  go  into  but  ourselves.  There  you  will  be  safe, 
concealed  even  from  Brownker,  until  the  moment 
comes  when  he  is  harmless,  and  you  can  go  to  France 
or  where  you  will." 

Marie  clasped  her  hands. 

"A  perfect  plan." 

"  You  approve  it  ?  " 

"  I  place  myself  unreservedly  at  your  disposal  and 
her  ladyship's." 

"  The  countess,"  Marlborough  said  gravely,  "  has 
greatly  taken  to  the  notion,  and  will  give  you  a  warm 
welcome.  She  bade  me  tell  you  that." 

"  I  humbly  thank  her  ladyship." 

There  was  the  ghost  of  a  gleam  in  Marie's  eyes 
and  a  suspicious  pursing  of  the  lips.  What  else,  she 
wondered,  had  the  countess  told  him?  But  this  she 
was  not  likely  to  know,  which  was  as  well,  considering 
that  Lady  Sarah's  last  words  had  been :  "  What  must 
be,  must,  and  to  save  the  house  if  James  comes  over  I'd 
take  the  devil  in.  But  bear  in  mind,  this  slut  stays 
not  a  minute  longer  than  the  crisis  lasts." 

Marlborough  took  up  Marie's  cloak. 

"  Then  I  will  give  orders  for  the  horses " 

"  Nay,  my  lord,  I  had  forgotten.  You  must  see 
this  first" 

A  sudden  thought  had  struck  her,  and  unlocking 
268 


The  King's  Agent 
i 

her  cabinet  she  took  out  a  letter,  the  only  one  left 
there. 

"  The  original  of  this  was  shown  to  me  for  an  evil 
purpose,  but  I  transcribed  it  faithfully  to  give  to  you. 
This  '  Association,'  signed  by  your  name,  is  in  the 
possession  of  Karl  Brownker." 

Marlborough  ran  his  eye  over  the  paper  and 
smiled. 

"  Who  put  this  trash  into  your  hands  ?  " 

"  Need  your  lordship  ask  ?     Brownker." 

"  It  is  the  most  outrageous  forgery  ever  devised, 
and  the  most  foolish.  No  man  with  a  sane  mind  would 
put  his  name  to  that." 

"  Your  name  is  there,  and  others  exact  in  their 
similitude." 

He  turned  over  the  page,  and  saw  his  name  and 
nodded. 

"  Master  Robert  Young,"  he  said  quietly. 

"  Ay,  and  he  will  attest  to  the  genuineness  of  the 
document  before  the  House  of  Lords,  and  swear  he 
found  it  in  a  flower-pot  in  the  house  of  my  Lord 
Bishop  of  Rochester  in  Bromley  by  Bow." 

Marlborough  stroked  his  chin. 

"  Karl  Brownker  is  indeed  an  admirable  contriver." 

"  He  holds  by  means  of  this  a  warrant  for  your 
apprehension." 

"  I  should  have  heard  of  that  before."  His  tone 
was  stern  and  reproachful. 

"  Believe  me,"  she  exclaimed.  "  I  only  knew  this 
morning  of  the  warrant.  Besides,  he  is  too  cunning  to 
arrest  you  in  a  common  way.  He  would  catch  you  in 
flight  as  well.  Then  the  cry  of  forgery,  if  raised  by 
your  friends,  will  not  be  listened  to." 

Marlborough  stood  in  deep  thought.  Then  he  held 
the  cloak  towards  her. 

269 


The  King's  Agent 

"  We  must  be  gone.  I  see  I  shall  have  to  travel 
farther  than  Berkeley  House  to-night,  or  be  concealed 
there  also.  Come,  my  friend." 

He  threw  the  cloak  over  her  shoulders  and  went  to 
a  fire  which  was  dying  slowly  in  the  grate,  and  burnt 
the  letter.  His  face  was  now  serene  and  even  cheerful. 

"  We  will  not  wait  for  Patrick,"  he  said,  "  but  go 
to  help  him." 

They  had  not  to  go  far.  Before  they  reached  the 
door  it  flew  open,  and  Patrick  appeared  with  staring 
eyes  and  pallid  face. 

"  Run  —  conceal  yourselves  —  Holy  Mother  of 
Heaven !  we're  all  betrayed.  The  garden's  full  of  sol- 
diers. Hearken ! " 

The  thud  of  a  musket-butt  came  against  the  back 
door  and  a  hoarse  voice  cried  "  Open." 

Marie  screamed  in  her  dismay  and  clung  to  Marl- 
borough,  while  Pat,  with  an  old  soldier's  instinct  in 
the  presence  of  an  officer,  stood  ready  to  obey  orders, 
but  without  an  idea  of  his  own.  Marlborough  pressed 
Marie's  hand  soothingly.  His  own  bearing  was  that 
of  a  man  receiving  visitors  he  had  expected  all  along. 

"  Lock  and  bolt  this  door,"  he  said  to  Patrick  with 
a  nod.  In  an  instant  the  door  of  the  room,  built  of 
solid  oak,  and  of  immense  thickness  and  weight,  was 
closed  and  securely  fastened. 

"  Now  let  us  consider  and  feel  our  way.  Shutters 
to  that  window,  Pat." 

A  light  was  gleaming  on  the  panes  already  from  a 
lantern  down  below.  As  Pat  sprang  to  the  place  and 
bolted  the  shutter  down,  Marlborough  stirred  up  the 
fire,  and  taking  from  his '  pocket  a  piece  of  paper, 
twisted  it  into  a  small  torch  and  lit  it. 

"  The  Lady  Susan,  your  mother,  once  told  me  that 
a  secret  passage  led  from  this  chamber  to  the  cellar, 

270 


The  King's  Agent 

and  from  thence  to  a  wood  beyond  the  road.    Where 
is  the  door  ?  " 

Marie  clasped  her  hands. 

"  Where  was  it — where  ?  Somewhere  in  the  east- 
ern wall.  Yes — no — I  cannot  tell  now — I  cannot  re- 
member." 

"  The  eastern  wall,"  Maryborough  said.  "  Then  I 
will  find  it,  if  they  give  me  time." 

Steps  now  were  heard  upon  the  stairs.  The  back 
door  had  been  broken  open,  the  soldiers  were  in  the 
house.  Crash !  A  heavy  blow  against  the  parlour 
door,  which  brought  plaster  from  the  ceiling,  and 
seemed  to  make  the  whole  house  shake,  then  another 
and  another. 

But  Marlborough  paid  not  the  slightest  attention  to 
these  sounds.  While  Marie,  too  terrified  to  speak  or 
move,  stood  fascinated  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  and 
Patrick,  rolling  curses  from  his  chest,  clutched  an  iron 
bar  which  he  had  picked  up  on  his  way  from  the  gar- 
den, and  stood  near  the  door  ready  to  strike  down  the 
first  man  who  showed  his  face,  Marlborough  coolly 
searched  and  tapped  with  his  knuckles  the  panels  in  the 
wall.  At  last  he  came  to  one  that  sounded  hollow,  and 
finding  what  he  was  searching  for,  he  pressed  a  spring. 
A  door,  formed  of  four  panels,  most  delicately  cut  and 
fitted,  fell  slowly  back. 

Splinters  were  now  dropping  from  the  door  from 
the  heavy  blows  falling  on  it  ceaselessly,  while  from 
without  the  scrape  of  a  ladder  was  heard  at  the  win- 
dow. Marlborough  caught  Marie  by  the  hand. 

"  All  is  safe  now.  This  leads,  if  I  remember,  to  the 
cellars,  then  beneath  the  road  into  a  wood." 

He  put  his  arm  about  her  and  in  another  moment 
she  was  in  the  passage  behind  the  panelling.  Marlbor- 
ough touched  Pat  upon  the  shoulder  and  beckoned. 

271 


The  King's  Agent 

A  minute  later  the  door  fell  in,  and  the  soldiers  en- 
tered— an  empty  room. 

Meanwhile  the  three,  with  great  circumspection 
and  care,  softly  groped  their  way  down  a  very  narrow 
winding  stair.  Marlborough  went  first,  Marie  next, 
Pat  bringing  up  the  rear.  The  way  seemed  almost 
endless.  When  the  door  at  the  bottom  was  reached 
at  last  it  took  them  some  time  to  find  the  spring  to 
open  it,  for  the  darkness  was  intense,  and  rust  had 
gathered  everywhere.  Marlborough  discovered  the 
place  at  last,  and  after  several  efforts  the  catch  gave 
way  and  the  door  yielded  outward.  Beyond  was  black 
darkness.  But  Marlborough,  feeling  his  way  '  cau- 
tiously, discovered  that  the  door  in  the  cellar  wall  was 
only  three  feet  from  the  ground.  He  slid  down,  took 
Marie  in  his  arms,  and  placed  her  beside  him.  Pat 
was  following,  groaning  with  the  cramp  of  having  for 
so  long  contracted  his  great  body  into  so  small  a  space, 
when  there  was  a  sharp,  ominous  sound — the  scrape  of 
flint  and  steel,  and  then  a  spark,  a  flare  of  light ;  a  sharp 
agonized  shriek  from  Marie,  the  whistle  of  steel  as 
Marlborough  drew  his  sword,  and  by  the  light  of  a 
torch  held  high  at  the  back  of  the  cellar  they  saw  two 
soldiers  presenting  loaded  muskets  at  their  heads,  and 
nearer,  with  rapiers  drawn,  Karl  Brownker  and  Hugh 
Montgomery. 

"  My  Lord  of  Marlborough,"  Karl  said  in  clear, 
resonant  tones,  "  I  arrest  you  for  high  treason  in  the 
King's  name." 


272 


CHAPTER   XXX 

THE  torches  shone  upon  a  strange  group  in  the  cel- 
lar of  the  Abbey  House.  In  the  background  the  faces 
of  the  soldiers,  William's  guards,  broad  and  stolid ;  in 
the  centre  of  the  room  Karl  and  Hugh,  vigilant  and 
stern ;  before  them  Marie,  her  face  tear-stained  and 
distorted  with  terror;  Patrick,  sullen  and  dangerous; 
and  lastly,  Marlborough. 

He  stood  in  advance  of  Marie  protectingly,  his 
rapier  drawn,  but  the  point  to  the  ground.  The  full 
light  of  the  torch  shone  upon  his  face,  and  for  a  few 
moments  it  was  the  only  face  Hugh  saw. 

Marlborough — caught ;  driven  into  their  hands  like 
a  rat  from  its  hole,  and  surrounded  now  by  every  damn- 
ing circumstance  of  guilt.  Karl  had  triumphed  indeed, 
and  Lord  Tottenham  must  eat  his  words.  As  for 
Marie,  when  Hugh  glanced  at  her  crouching  and  trem- 
bling, his  soul  sickened  within  him. 

He  would  gladly  have  turned  away  and  left  them ; 
gone  home  and  hidden  his  face  in  bitter,  unutterable 
shame.  But  now  Marlborough  spoke,  and  Hngh,  gaz- 
ing at  him,  and  watching  every  movement,  every 
change  in  the  expression  of  his  face,  down  to  the 
quiver  of  an  eyelid,  forgot  Marie;  forgot,  gradually, 
all  that  he  felt  when  the  torch  first  shone  upon  the 
prisoner,  and  at  last  stood  fascinated,  spellbound,  al- 
most ready  again  to  believe  that  black  was  white. 

Marlborough's  face  was  not  beautiful  to  look  at, 
273 


The  King's  Agent 

grimed  as  it  was  with  the  dirt  and  dust  of  the  stairway ; 
his  peruke  full  of  cobwebs  and  tousled  out  of  all  de- 
cency. But  in  his  bearing  there  was  something  that 
vividly  recalled  to  Hugh  the  scene  he  had  once  de- 
scribed to  Lord  Tottenham,  the  scene  when  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Walcourt  the  officers  of  the  Prince  of  Waldeck's 
army,  and  the  prince  himself,  were  distracted  with  an- 
ticipation of  disaster,  and  when  Marlborough  alone, 
preserving  perfect  confidence  until  the  moment  came 
to  act,  turned  the  enemy's  flank,  and  wrested  victory 
from  defeat. 

As  Marlborough  looked  then,  in  the  midst  of  the 
roar  and  confusion  of  battle,  so  he  looked  now  with 
his  back  against  the  cellar  wall. 

In  answer  to  Brownker's  demand  for  surrender  he 
courteously  bowed,  but  made  no  movement  of  com- 
pliance. 

"  A  pardon,  sir ;  my  sword,  though  always  at  the 
service  of  the  King,  is  not  at  yours.  Pray  your  au- 
thority in  writing." 

"  Here  is  the  warrant,  signed  by  the  Privy  Council 
and  Secretaries  of  State." 

Brownker  spoke  more  respectfully,  and  handed  the 
warrant  to  his  prisoner,  who,  thrusting  his  sword  care- 
lessly into  the  scabbard,  beckoned  to  one  of  the  sol- 
diers. 

"  That  torch,  my  man — nearer — so." 

He  read  the  warrant  with  a  look  of  contemptuous 
surprise. 

"  On  what  evidence  do  you  base  this  astounding 
charge  ?  " 

"  All  will  appear,  my  lord,  in  proper  course.  For 
the  present  be  pleased  to  place  yourself  under  guid- 
ance of  the  captain  of  the  guard  and  deliver  up  your 
sword  to  me." 

274 


The  King's  Agent 

"  You ! "  Marlborough  looked  at  him  with  su- 
preme condescension.  "  Nay,  my  good  friend,  not 
you." 

"  I  must  then  use  force.  That  would  be  regrettable, 
my  lord." 

There  was  repressed  irritation  in  Brownker's  tone, 
at  which  Marlborough  became  more  and  more  delib- 
erate. 

"  Regrettable  indeed,  for  you,  sir."  His  tone  was 
now  one  of  the  loftiest  pity.  "  Unless,  indeed,  I  have 
made  some  strange  blunder  and  his  Majesty  has  hon- 
oured his  private  agent  with  a  commission  in  the 
guards." 

A  grin,  quickly  suppressed,  but  obvious  enough, 
quivered  a  moment  on  the  faces  of  the  two  soldiers, 
and  was  broadly  visible  upon  the  countenance  of  the 
captain  of  the  guards  himself,  who  had  entered  at  that 
instant,  and  for  whose  benefit  the  words  had  been  said. 
But  Brownker  made  no  outward  sign  of  annoyance. 

"  Take  your  prisoner,  captain,"  he  said  to  the  new- 
comer, "  and  remember  that  your  life  will  answer  for 
his  safety." 

The  captain,  an  Englishman,  glared  at  the  speaker 
haughtily. 

"  Gad  'a'  mercy,  Master  Agent,  teach  me  not  my 
business,  pray.  If,  out  of  good  nature,  I  let  you  play 
your  game,  and  hold  the  warrant,  it  was  not  for  this. 
Men,  present  arms  to  his  lordship."  Then,  saluting 
Marlborough  himself,  he  said  very  respectfully :  "  It 
is  with  sorrow,  my  lord,  that  I  ask  your  sword.  Lud 
grant  it  may  not  be  long  before  I  draw  my  own  at 
your  command." 

Marlborough  bowed  gracefully  in  return  and  gave 
up  the  weapon. 

"  At  least,  captain,  a  sword  was  never  given  into 

275 


The  King's  Agent 

better  hands  or  to  advance  a  better  cause.  God  save 
the  King." 

He  raised  his  hat. 

"  As  for  my  friend,  good  Master  Brownker  here  " 
— he  smiled,  and  took  a  pinch  of  snuff — "  he  has  fished 
in  such  troubled  waters  that,  on  my  faith,  I  am  afraid 
he  will  scarce  get  safe  to  land." 

"  The  fish,  I  thank  your  lordship,  has  been  landed." 

"  Say  you  so,"  Marlborough  rejoined,  raising  his 
eyebrows  and  turning  to  Hugh  with  a  bow.  "  Then 
that  poor  fish  has  my  sincere  commiseration." 

The  careless  smile  was  still  upon  his  lips,  but  Hugh 
saw  in  the  eyes  that  rested  on  his  a  moment  a  look  of 
deep  significance  and  warning.  Brownker  saw  this 
also,  and  laughed  suddenly  to  draw  attention  to  him- 
self. 

"  But  your  lordship  is  mistaken.  The  fish  I.  mean 
is  in  this  lady's  net."  He  made  Marie  a  mocking 
salute.  "  She  fished  deep  for  you." 

At  this  challenge  Marie  tried  to  smile  as  Marlbor- 
ough had  done,  but  her  parted  lips  revealed  teeth 
closely  set. 

"  A  poor  jest,  badly  turned,"  she  said. 

Marlborough  bowed  slightly  to  Brownker. 

"  By  my  faith,  sir,  but  I  believe  you.  Yet  against 
so  fair  an  angler  even  the  fish  cannot  cherish  malice." 

Marie  drew  in  a  sharp  breath. 

"  You  believe  him  !  You  believe  I  was  privy  to  all 
this?" 

Marlborough  glanced  slowly  from  her  face  to 
Brownker's  and  back  again,  with  the  air  of  one  pass- 
ing judgment.  He  was  the  master  of  the  situation  and 
he  knew  it. 

"  I  not  only  believe,  but  I  will  prove  it,  madam." 
Nothing  could  exceed  the  coldness  of  his  tone. — "  Cap- 

276 


The  King's  Agent 

"tain,"  turning  to  the  officer,  "  have  you  received  orders 
to  arrest  this  lady  ?  " 

The  captain  chuckled. 

"  In  my  instructions,  my  lord,  there  was  no  men- 
tion of  a  lady." 

"  Then  she  is  free,  I  presume,  to  leave  this  place," 
Marlborough  said  very  slowly,  fixing  his  eyes  mean- 
ingly on  Marie's  face,  "  while  I  must  go  to  the  Tower. 
— Indeed  " — he  turned  again  to  Brownker,  and  now 
his  face  was  full  of  honest  indignation — "  I  have  leaned 
upon  a  broken  reed  and  have  been  shamefully  de- 
ceived." 

Marie  raised  her  head  and  advanced  a  few  steps. 

"  I  may  go  ?  "  she  said  to  Brownker  in  a  mechani- 
cal tone.  "  I  may  depart  ?  " 

Brownker  gave  a  low,  unpleasant  laugh. 

"  After  what  his  lordship  says,  I  should,  if  I  were 
you,  depart  at  once." 

Marie  looked  him  in  the  face. 

"  I  thank  you,"  she  said  simply,  "  for  this,  for  all. — 
Pat,  the  horses.  We  have  far  to  ride  to-night." 

She  did  not  appear  to  notice  Marlborough  until 
the  soldiers  stood  aside  from  the  door  to  let  her  pass. 
Then  she  made  him  a  deep  courtesy,  and  with  a  gra- 
cious inclination  of  the  head  to  the  captain  of  the  guard, 
who  was  beginning  to  look  hungrily  at  her  beauty, 
she  passed  out,  Patrick  at  her  heels  like  a  great  watch- 
dog. 

The  captain  sighed,  and  muttered  to  himself,  then 
turned  to  Marlborough. 

"  Your  lordship  ready  ?  " 

"  One  instant,  friend." 

He  stepped  suddenly  forward  and  laid  his  hand 
upon  Hugh's  shoulder. 

"  I  have  to  ask  of  you,  Mr.  Montgomery,  for  the 
277 


The  King's  Agent 

sake  of  old  comradeship,  will  you  take  the  news  of  my 
arrest  to  my  dear  wife  ?  " 

He  spoke  frankly,  cordially,  yet  with  a  subtle  ac- 
cent of  reproach. 

Hugh  reddened  furiously,  but  did  not  hesitate.  "  I 
will  do  it,  my  lord,"  he  said. 

Marlborough  looked  at  him  a  moment,  then  held 
out  his  hand. 

"  My  grateful  thanks." 

Hugh's  heart  beat  heavily.  A  few  moments  ago 
no  power  on  earth  would  have  induced  him  to  touch 
Marlborough's  hand.  Now,  after  one  short  breath  of 
surprise,  he  seized  and  wrung  it  hard. 

"  I  thank  you  again,"  Marlborough  repeated. 
"  You  are  a  true  friend.  Captain,  at  your  service." 

A  word  of  command,  the  tramp  of  heavy  feet,  and 
Brownker  and  Hugh  were  alone  with  the  soldier  hold- 
ing the  torch. 

"  You  did  well,"  Karl  said  quietly  as  they  went  up 
into  the  hall.  "  Much  may  be  learned  by  seeing  the 
countess  when  she  first  hears  the  news.  She  will  be 
so  beside  herself  with  rage  that  like  enough  she  will 
betray  something  of  importance.  We  will  start  at  once 
for  Berkeley  House." 

They  were  in  the  hall  by  this  time.  Hugh  turned 
about  at  these  words,  and  faced  Brownker  with  a 
strange  expression  in  his  eyes. 

"  You  are  under  a  mistake,"  he  said.  "  I  go 
alone." 


278 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

HUGH  rode  fast,  and  reached  the  neighbourhood  of 
Berkeley  House  in  half  an  hour.  As  he  drew  near  his 
destination,  however,  his  pace  slackened  until  he 
stopped  altogether  to  consider.  Finally,  after  a  min- 
ute of  deep  thought,  he  turned  back  and  trotted  briskly 
up  the  drive  of  Tottenham  Place. 

The  earl  was  at  home,  and  Hugh  found  the  place 
in  a  bustle.  Before  he  could  go  upstairs  the  old  house 
steward  drew  him  timidly  aside. 

"  Crave  pardon,  Mr.  Hugh,  but  have  ye  heard  the 
French  have  landed  and  the  Earl  of  Marlborough  has 
gone  to  command  their  army  ?  We'll  be  murdered  in 
our  beds,  belike,  if  that  is  true." 

"  It  is  a  lie,"  Hugh  said  with  decision.  "  There  is 
not  a  Frenchman  this  side  the  Channel,  nor  will  there 
be.  The  fleet  will  see  to  that." 

"Thank  God!"  the  man  said  fervently.  "I  had 
forgot  the  fleet." 

"  Pray  heaven,"  muttered  Hugh,  "  the  French 
have  done  the  same." 

Lord  Tottenham  was  sitting,  booted  and  spurred, 
eating  a  hasty  meal.  He  signed  to  Hugh  to  join  him, 
and  the  servant  opened  another  bottle  of  wine.  Hugh 
tried  to  eat  while  the  man  was  in  the  room,  but  from 
the  moment  they  were  alone  he  did  not  touch  his  plate 
again. 

"  The  news,  boy." 

279 


The  King's  Agent 

"  We  took  him,  escaping  by  a  secret  way." 

"My  God!    Alone?" 

"  My  cousin  and  her  servant  were  with  him.  They 
were  dressed  as  for  a  long  journey,  and  in  the  stable 
were  horses  ready  saddled." 

Lord  Tottenham  swore  loud  and  deep. 

"  Stay,  my  lord !  "  Hugh  cried  sharply.  "  Do  not 
judge  too  soon." 

The  earl  nearly  dropped  his  knife  and  fork. 

"You  say  that?" 

Hugh  pushed  his  plate  away  and  walked  restlessly 
to  the  window  and  back  again. 

"  I  say  it  is  the  most  accursed  tangle  and  mystery  in 
the  world.  But  I  will  tell  you  all  that  happened." 

Lord  Tottenham  listened  to  the  story  with  bent 
brows  and  a  face  of  unchanging  sternness. 

"  The  queerest  twist  in  the  whole  skein,"  Hugh 
said  in  conclusion,  "  is  that  as  he  stood  there,  caught 
like  any  hare,  self-condemned  by  the  attempt  at  flight, 
and  in  company  with  her,  I  felt  such  pity,  and  such 
love  for  him  that  all  the  regard  I  had  lost  these  many 
days  came  back.  He  was  like  a  noble  stag  at  bay  be- 
fore the  dogs,  appealing,  questioning  dumbly,  proudly, 
Is  this  just?  Is  this  fair  play?  My  lord,  I  know  not 
why  or  wherefore — there  is  no  reason  I  can  find  for  it 
— but  on  my  life  and  soul  I  do  believe  now  that  Lord 
Marlborough  is  a  true  man,  and  that  I  have  been,  what 
you  declared,  the  dupe  and  tool  for  some  devilish  de- 
sign." 

He  sank  into  his  chair,  drank  a  glass  of  wine,  and 
scanned  Lord  Tottenham's  face.  To  his  surprise  a 
bitter,  sarcastic  smile  curled  about  the  lips  of  Lord 
Marlborough's  oldest  friend. 

"  Then  he  has  netted  ye,  as  he  has  done  so  many. 
Gadzooks,  Hugh,  you  will  have  to  find  better  proof 

280 


The  King's  Agent 

than  this  before  you  convince  me  now  that  there  is  a 
tittle  of  innocency  in  him.  His  look,  his  manner? 
Pish !  I  have  seen  that  look  and  manner.  I  know  it 
well.  It  is  only  seen,  my  lad,  in  its  full  perfection, 
when  he  is  in  the  worst  of  scrapes,  and  as  guilty  as  the 
devil.  I  don't  say,"  the  earl  snapped  sharply,  "  that  he 
is  guilty  now.  All  that  I  know  of  that  affair  I  hear 
from  you,  and  you  blow  hot  and  cold  alternately.  But 
I  do  say  Jack  has  before  now  made  those  he  has  most 
injured  think  him  white  as  snow,  and  that  this  air  of 
his  is  a  cloak  that  covers — Lord  knows  what !  " 

Hugh  drummed  his  fingers  on  the  table  with  an 
absent  air. 

"  Maybe,  my  lord.  But  for  what  it's  worth,  my 
opinion  is  more  proof  is  needed  yet  for  any  one  to 
say  that  Lord  Marlborough  is  a  guilty  man." 

Lord  Tottenham  looked  at  Hugh  attentively. 

"  You  are  a  strange  lad.  By  Gad,  you  are — and 
once  I  thought  you  simple.  I  cannot  plumb  you  now. 
But  what's  to  do  ?  " 

Hugh  had  risen  and  taken  up  his  hat. 

"  I  have  to  ride  to  Berkeley  House  to  tell  the  Lady 
Sarah." 

Lord  Tottenham  was  pouring  out  some  wine,  but 
at  these  words  he  put  the  decanter  hastily  down. 

"  The  countess !  "  he  cried.  "  You  had  better  far  go 
hang  yourself." 

Hugh  smiled  faintly. 

"  Afterward,  my  lord,  perhaps  I  may.  But  I  have 
passed  my  word  to  do  it,  and  called  here  upon  my 
road  to  know  if  you  would  help  me  to  break  the  news." 

The  earl  sprang  from  his  chair  as  if  he  had  been 
stung. 

"  I — tell  Sarah  that  her  man  is  in  the  Tower,  and — 
and  the  circumstances  of  it  ?  Gadzooks,  I  would  rather 

281 


The  King's  Agent 

enter  on  a  boxing  match  with  a  prize  strong  man,  or 
buy  a  spavined  horse,  or  fence  Karl  Brownker  with  a 
wooden  spoon." 

He  sat  down  with  a  shiver  and  tossed  off  a  glass  of 
wine. 

"  Then  I  must  bid  you  a  good-night,  my  lord." 

Lord  Tottenham  watched  him  a  moment,  sighed 
heavily,  emptied  his  glass,  and  rose. 

"  You  are  going  now  ?  " 

"  They  will  soon  be  all  abed  else." 

"  Then,  come.  'Oddsbub !  "  he  said  roughly,  as 
Hugh  would  have  protested.  "  You  foolish  boy,  did 
you  suppose  I  should  let  ye  face  the  tigress  alone.  Let 
her  tear  me  if  she  will ;  I  am  tough.  Besides,  if  you 
went  by  yourself  you  would  tell  the  naked  truth,  and 
rather  than  Jack's  wife  should  think  he'd  been  philan- 
dering I'd  give  my  blood.  Gad's  life,  if  you  knew  that 
woman's  jealousy !  " 

Hugh  said  no  more.  He  had  been  sure,  as  a  matter 
of  fact,  that  Lord  Tottenham  would  come,  and  was 
devoutly  thankful.  He  had  no  relish  for  braving  the 
terrors  of  a  jealous  wife  alone. 

The  servant  at  Berkeley  House,  a  footman  of  im- 
mense stature,  promptly  denied  them  admittance  when 
Lord  Tottenham  inquired  for  the  Countess  Marlbor- 
ough.  She  was  playing  hazard,  he  said,  with  the  prin- 
cess, and  none  might  disturb  her.  He  would,  how- 
ever, take  a  message. 

"  Take  a  devil !  "  cried  Lord  Tottenham,  trying  to 
push  past.  "  Point  me  the  way,  sirrah.  I'll  announce 
myself.  Is  it  the  blue  chamber  ?  " 

"  Nay,  my  lord !  "  cried  the  man,  blocking  up  the 
hall.  "  My  orders  is  particular." 

"  Damn  your  orders,  fool !  "  And  seizing  the  as- 
tounded flunkey  by  the  collar  the  excited  nobleman 

282 


The  King's  Agent 

•\ 

shook  him  violently.  The  man,  who  could  have  taken 
up  his  lordship,  burly  as  he  was,  in  one  hand,  endured 
the  assault  with  stolid  patience.  But  when  all  was 
done  he  still  blocked  up  the  hall.  Meantime  Hugh  had 
caught  his  eye,  and  abstracted  a  gold  coin  from  his 
pocket. 

"  You  have  done  your  duty,"  he  remarked,  "  and 
shall  be  held  blameless,  on  my  honour." 

The  man  sighed  and  took  the  coin. 

"  As  your  lordship  forced  me  from  the  doors  with 
violence,"  he  said  meekly,  "  there  is  no  help  for  it. 
—The  fifth,  sir,  on  the  left." 

He  whispered  the  last  words  in  Hugh's  ear  and 
stood  aside. 

Lord  Tottenham  mopped  his  forehead.  "  Gad, 
what  a  haystack !  "  he  said,  hurrying  on.  "  Yet  sharp, 
withal.  He  took  my  meaning  perfectly." 

Hugh  thought  that  this  was  fortunate  for  his  lord- 
ship's bones,  but  he  did  not  say  so. 

They  reached  the  door  indicated,  and  Lord  Totten- 
ham knocked  sharply.  There  was  no  response.  They 
looked  at  each  other  for  a  moment.  Then  Lord  Tot- 
tenham, who  was  several  shades  paler  than  usual, 
grimly  set  his  teeth. 

"  We  must  see  her  with  the  princess,  and  at  once." 

And,  opening  the  door,  he  led  the  way,  and  Hugh 
found  himself  in  the  presence  of  royalty  for  the  sec- 
ond time. 

The  room  was  occupied  by  the  princess  and  Lady 
Sarah,  playing  cards,  and  by  Prince  George  snoring 
in  an  arm-chair.  Neither  of  the  ladies  took  any  notice 
of  the  intruders,  so  intent  were  they  upon  their  game. 
The  princess  lay  on  her  couch,  the  countess  sat  on  a 
low  chair  opposite,  the  card-table  between  them. 
Cards  was  the  one  taste  they  had  in  common.  As  to 
19  283 


The  King's  Agent 

the  winnings,  the  Lady  Sarah  often  said  that  in  all 
games  of  hazard  she  had  wonderful  good  fortune,  and 
this,  in  the  games  she  played  with  Anne,  was  strictly 
true. 

Lord  Tottenham  coughed  vigorously. 

"  Your  Highness,"  he  said  with  a  low  bow,  speak- 
ing hurriedly,  "  I  make  no  apology  for  this  graceless 
interruption.  I  know  that  with  your  Highness  the 
welfare  of  your  friends  come  before  all  etiquette.  The 
Earl  of  Marlborough,  madam,  has  this  evening  been 
seized  and  thrown  into  the  Tower." 

A  flutter  of  cards,  a  jingle  of  coins,  and  a  crash. 
Lady  Sarah,  springing  to  her  feet,  had  upset  the  table, 
and  sent  everything  upon  it  flying  far  and  wide. 

"  Oh  dear,  my  lord !  "  cried  the  princess  helplessly. 
"  Oh  dear,  dear.  This  is  bitter  news.  May  Heaven 
protect  the  poor  man  " — adding  to  herself — "  and  my 
hand  the  best  this  evening !  Oh  dear,  oh  dear !  " 

But  she  was  sincerely  grieved,  and  the  tears 
coursed  down  her  cheeks. 

Lady  Sarah  stood  upright  and  rigid,  and  between 
her  parted  lips  Hugh  could  see  the  white  strong  teeth. 

"  My  lord  in  the  Tower?  "  she  said  slowly.  "  That 
must  have  been  ordered  by  the  Queen's  Privy  Council, 
of  which  my  Lord  Tottenham  is  a  distinguished  mem- 
ber." 

"  Had  I  been  there,"  he  answered  shortly,  "  this 
would  not  have  been  done ;  your  ladyship  knows  that." 

"  Then  if  it  is  not  the  Council " 

"  It  is  at  the  instance  of  Karl  Brownker,  whom 
your  ladyship  has  so  often  invited  to  your  house." 

He  had  been  driven  beyond  prudence  by  her  taunt, 
and  lashed  out  regardlessly.  But  Lady  Sarah  scarcely 
noticed  his  retort. 

"  Brownker,"  she  said.  "  Ay,  the  man  whom  this 
284 


The  King's  Agent 

gentleman,"  turning  suddenly  on  Hugh,  "has  lately 
called  his  friend." 

This  was  a  flank  attack  with  a  vengeance,  but  Lord 
Tottenham  was  equal  to  it. 

"  Mr.  Montgomery,  madam,  has  come  here  by  my 
lord's  particular  desire  to  break  this  news  to  you.  I 
have  come  with  him  to  aid  you  to  obtain  an  order  from 
the  Secretary  of  State  for  a  permit  to  visit  the  Tower." 

The  countess  stopped  him  with  a  quick  imperious 
gesture. 

"  Indeed,  I  will  ask  no  favour  of  my  Lords  of  Not- 
tingham or  Sydney,  who  signed  the  warrant  for  my 
husband's  apprehension — nor  of  any  man  who  admits 
an  intimacy  with  such  villains." 

"  Then  Gad's  life,  madam,"  thundered  the  earl,  los- 
ing all  patience,  "  what  will  you  do  ?  With  your 
lord  in  prison,  it  is  a  strange  time  to  cast  insult  in  the 
face  of  his  best  friends." 

"  A  true  friend,  my  lord,"  rejoined  the  countess 
sharply,  "  would  have  been  at  work  to  release  my  hus- 
band, rather  than  wait  upon  his  wife  to  offer  what  she 
can  be  a-doing  for  herself.  Give  me  proof  that  you 
have  ventured  anything  to  save  the  earl  from  this,  and 
I  will  kiss  your  hand.  But  you  have  done  nothing — 
nothing.  While  this  soldier  here,  who  once  professed 
so  much  regard  for  my  lord,  has  been  in  close  league 
with  his  bitterest  enemy." 

"  Your  ladyship  wrongs  him,"  cried  Lord  Totten- 
ham. "  I  will  not  have  it  said " 

Lady  Sarah  stared  at  him  haughtily. 

"  You  will  not  what  ?  My  life !  if  I  had  time  I 
would  so  deal  with  both  of  ye ;  but  I  want  your  news. 
Now,  sir  soldier,  tell  me  quickly,  and  her  Highness 
here,  on  what  pretence  was  my  Lord  Marlborough  ar- 
rested? Speak  out,  unless  you  be  afraid  of  women." 

285 


The  King's  Agent 

"  My  lord  is  accused  of  treason,"  Hugh  said  in  a 
low  voice.  "  A  paper  has  been  found  with  his  name 
upon  it,  threatening  the  person  of  her  Majesty  the 
Queen." 

"  In  which  paper  Master  Hugh  Montgomery  be- 
lieves as  in  the  Gospel." 

She  hissed  the  words  out  between  her  teeth.  Hugh 
realized  now,  with  an  internal  shudder,  the  full  sig- 
nificance of  Lord  Tottenham's  warning. 

"  I  believe  nothing,"  he  replied,  "  until  it  is  well 
proved.  I  trust  with  all  my  soul  to  see  this  Associa- 
tion shown  to  be  a  forgery." 

"  But  until  we  prove  it  so,  my  husband  in  your 
mind  is  convicted  of  the  crime  ?  " 

Hugh's  blood  began  to  rise. 

"  I  have  not  said  that,  madam,  nor  do  I  think  it." 

"  Tell  me  what  you  think." 

"  I  must  be  excused  of  that." 

"  But  I  will  not  excuse  you.  What ! " — she 
stamped  her  foot  again,  and  her  face  became  convulsed 
with  rage — "  you,  who  have  pretended  the  devotion  to 
my  husband  men  give  only  their  dearest  friends ;  who 
have  made  free  with  his  house  and  all  within  his  house, 
now  dare  to  mouth  before  my  face  the  foul  and  cursed 
lies  invented  by  his  enemies,  and  then,  forsooth,  beg  to 
be  excused!  False-tongued,  shallow-hearted,  tool  of 
villains  cleverer  than  yourself.  You  are  a  very  Judas, 
and  if  this  house  were  mine  I'd  have  you  thrown  into 
the  street.  Viperous  cur!  Out  of  my  sight,  or  I  do 
you  mischief — out  of  my  sight !  " 

Her  voice  rose  to  a  shriek,  her  fingers  twitched,  her 
eyes  were  glaring,  and  her  teeth  bared.  Lord  Tot- 
tenham, who  knew  her  well,  thought  Hugh  in  physical 
danger,  and  tried  to  step  between  them.  But  if  the 
tiger  was  roused  in  Lady  Sarah  by  the  danger  to  her 

286 


The  King's  Agent 

husband  and  her  suspicions  of  every  one  connected  with 
the  King,  the  lion  was  roused  in  Hugh  by  her  injustice. 
He  faced  her  resolutely,  and  then  bowed  low  to  Anne. 

"  Your  Highness,  this  is  your  house.  Must  I  leave 
it  without  a  word  in  my  defence  ?  " 

"  Begone ! "  screamed  the  countess  before  Anne 
could  reply,  "  you  have  hunted  my  husband  to  his 
death ;  I'll  swear  it.  Dog !  " 

"  My  dear — my  dear !  " 

Anne's  voice  was  mild  as  the  cooing  of  a  dove,  but 
it  seemed  to  rouse  the  countess  to  fresh  passion. 

"  What !    Your  Highness  takes  his  part,  then  ?  " 

"  I  wish  to  say,  my  dear,"  the  princess  said,  more 
mildly  than  before,  "  that  the  young  man  must  not  go 
until " 

"  Then,  madam,  I  will  pack  myself." 

"  I  am  sure,  my  dear,"  remonstrated  Anne,  "  you 
misjudge  this  gentleman." 

The  countess  now  looked  so  dangerous  that  good 
Prince  George,  who  never  trusted  her,  opposed  his 
great  bulky  person  between  the  fury  and  his  wife. 
But  Anne,  though  a  timid  woman  naturally,  had  been 
touched  by  Hugh's  appeal.  She  had  heard  of  him  as  a 
brave  man  and  as  an  ardent  lover  of  Isabel,  a  favourite 
of  hers.  Lastly,  her  obstinacy  was  now  aroused. 

"  My  dear,"  she  said,  with  mild  persistence,  "  the 
young  man  must  not  go  until  he  has  been  heard  in  his 
own  defence." 

"  He  shall  not  speak  in  my  presence.  He  shall 
never  enter  my  house  again,"  the  countess  cried.  "  By 
our  friendship,  madam,  and  my  faithful  service,  and 
your  love  for  me,  send  him  a-packing  now." 

There  was  appeal  in  her  voice  at  last.  If  it  had  been 
there  earlier  Hugh  might  have  lost  a  powerful  friend, 
but  it  was  too  late.  Anne's  mind  was  set. 

287 


The  King's  Agent 

"  I  say  he  must  be  heard,  my  dear,  in  his  own  de- 
fence." 

"  Then  you  may  listen  to  him,  madam,  alone,"  the 
countess  cried,  "  while  I  endeavour  what  my  lord's 
friends  daren't  attempt. — Lord  Tottenham,  lend  me 
your  chair  and  take  me  this  instant  to  Lord  Notting- 
ham's." 

Lord  Tottenham  bowed  and  offered  his  arm.  Anne 
gave  a  little  sigh  of  relief. 

"  God-speed  to  you,  my  dear,  but  be  not  too  long 
away." 

"  Lord  'a'  mercy,  madam,"  cried  her  ladyship  tart- 
ly. "  I  know  not  when  I  shall  be  back,  but  for  sure  you 
cannot  miss  me,  when  I  leave  behind  so  gallant  and 
so  personable  a  substitute.  La !  He'd  be  here  long 
enough  if  the  prince  would  let  him." 

And  with  a  coarse  laugh  she  laid  her  hand  on  Lord 
Tottenham's  arm  and  hurried  away. 

"  Quite  a  she-devil,"  observed  Prince  George. 
"  Oh,  a  very  devil." 

The  princess  patted  him  on  the  arm  in  a  motherly 
way. 

"  Quiet,  George,  quiet.  Learn  politer  English  be- 
fore you  try  to  speak  it.  It  is  but  Sarah's  way. — 
Now,  sir,"  to  Hugh,  "  you  must  go.  Nay  " — as  Hugh 
would  have  spoken — "  pray,  not  a  word.  I  am  con- 
vinced you  are  a  true  friend  to  my  Lord  Marlborough, 
whom  God  protect,  the  poor  man !  Stay,  I  would  ask 
you  something.  Isabel  Fretchville,  my  lord's  lady 
steward,  is  a  sweet  witch  of  a  maid.  On  your  hon- 
our as  a  gentleman,  do  you  still  hanker  after  her  for 
wife?" 

This  artless  inquiry  much  astonished  Hugh,  but  he 
had  presence  of  mind  enough  not  to  shirk  it. 

"  It  is  my  dearest  wish,  your  Highness,  though,  in- 
288 


The  King's  Agent 

deed  " — he  sighed  as  he  thought  of  Maryborough  in 
the  Tower  and  her  ladyship  estranged — "  indeed,  I 
have  small  chance  now." 

"  Chut,  sir,"  cried  the  princess,  her  face  brighten- 
ing in  her  interest  and  enjoyment  of  a  sentimental  situ- 
ation. "  If  the  maid  is  willing,  your  courage,  an'  you 
have  it,  should  do  all  the  rest." 

Hugh  kept  a  watchful  eye  upon  the  princess. 

"  Your  Highness  has  not  heard,  perhaps,  that  I 
spoke  once,  and  then  she  was  not  willing." 

Anne  smiled  very  knowingly,  and  beckoned  with 
a  fat  forefinger. 

"  A  word  in  your  ear,  young  man.  Speak  to  her 
again,  or,  if  you  do  not  speak,  at  least  lose  no  time  in 
seeing  her  and  letting  her  see  you,  and  that  your  mind 
has  not  changed.  I  may  not  tell  you  more,  and  my 
dear  Mrs.  Freeman  would  choke  with  rage  that  I  have 
said  this  much.  But  I  know  what  I  know.  No  thanks. 
Be  off,  sir,  and  be  a  man." 

She  gave  Hugh  her  hand  to  kiss,  and  then  dis- 
missed him. 

When  he  had  gone  the  princess  leaned  back  on  the 
couch  wearily  and  took  her  husband's  hand.  He  knelt 
by  the  couch  and  put  his  arm  about  her,  and  she  rested 
her  head  upon  his  shoulder. 

"  That  is  a  brave  young  man,  George,  and  honest." 

"  I  likes  him." 

"  I  have  wished  a  many  times,"  Anne  went  on, 
"  that  I  might  find  a  way  of  paying  Isabel  for  her  good 
care  of  baby.  You  mind  when  he  was  ill  how  devot- 
edly she  nursed  him?  " 

"  I  minds  well." 

"  My  dear,  I  have  paid  her  now." 

George  gave  a  doubtful  grunt. 

"  But  the  countess  will  be  very  mad." 
289 


The  King's   Agent 

"  I  shall  have  my  way,  George.  I  always  have  my 
way  when  I  am  sure.  And  now  I  am  quite  sure." 
Her  eyes  filled  with  tears,  and,  drawing  his  face  down 
to  hers,  she  kissed  him.  "  My  dear,  your  poor  Anne 
has  all  the  troubles  in  the  world  to  bear,  but  she  can 
bear  them,  for  she  is  blessed  with  a  husband  she  can 
trust.  That  is  God's  best  gift  to  any  woman.  Sarah 
may  rage  her  fill,  but  Isabel  shall  have  the  man  she 
loves,  for  baby's  sake." 


290 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

HUGH  left  Berkeley  House  a  new  man.  He  had 
gone  there  weighed  down  in  mind  and  body  by  the 
calamity  of  Marlborough's  arrest,  and  the  dark  uncer- 
tainty beyond  it.  He  went  away  to  his  own  house  at 
Westminster  treading  on  air.  He  was  beloved ! 

Hugh  was  not  an  imaginative  person,  and  when  his 
feelings  were  too  many  for  him  they  found  expression 
in  hard  physical  exercise.  Therefore  he  rode  home  at 
the  fastest  pace  the  darkness  of  the  way  allowed,  and 
burst  into  his  house  with  a  rush.  His  mind  was  full  of 
the  inspiriting  recollection  that  he  had  just  added  to  his 
possessions  one  of  the  finest  horses  money  could  buy, 
and  the  calculation  that  if  he  started  at  dawn  to  St. 
Albans  he  could  arrive  at  Hollywell  House  soon  after 
breakfast.  But  a  servant  now  intercepted  him  with 
some  intelligence,  and  the  world  changed  again — Karl 
Brownker  was  waiting  for  him  upstairs.  Hugh  felt 
like  some  horse  which,  having  been  let  loose  upon 
turf,  is  suddenly  checked  by  a  jaw-breaking  bit  and 
thrown  on  its  haunches.  With  difficulty  he  restrained 
an  expression  of  something  worse  than  annoyance. 
But  he  pulled  himself  together,  and  after  a  moment's 
thought  ordered  supper  to  be  spread  and  two  bottles 
of  wine  uncorked. 

He  met  Brownker  with  as  much  cordiality  as  he 
could  manufacture  at  such  short  notice,  and  entered 
into  an  account  of  his  visit  to  the  Lady  Sarah.  It  was 

291 


The  King's  Agent 

a  true  account,  so  far  as  it  went,  but  then  it  did  not 
go  far.  Lord  Tottenham's  presence  was  not  men- 
tioned, nor  Lady  Sarah's  hurried  departure  to  the  Sec- 
retary of  State,  least  of  all  the  private  words  with  the 
Princess  Anne.  This  made  the  story  very  short,  but 
Karl  thanked  Hugh  cordially  for  his  information,  and 
neither  by  glance  nor  word  betrayed  the  fact  that  hav- 
ing come  from  Berkeley  House  himself  by  a  much 
shorter  way  than  Hugh,  after  a  conversation  with  a 
trusty  servant  there,  he  knew  most  of  it  before,  in- 
cluding that  which  Hugh  had  left  out. 

Karl  stayed  to  supper,  and  did  fullest  justice  to  it, 
and  for  some  time  studiously  avoided  the  least  mention 
of  Marlborough.  All  this  time  Hugh's  thoughts  were 
very  busy  about  his  guest.  What  had  he  come  about 
to-night?  More,  surely,  than  to  hear  news  of  Lady 
Marlborough.  There  was  observable  in  his  manner  a 
frankness  and  cordiality  which  Hugh,  whose  suspicions 
had  been  seriously  aroused  lately  as  to  the  good  faith 
of  the  King's  Agent  in  any  part  of  the  transaction  con- 
cerning Marlborough,  viewed  with  extreme  distrust. 
But,  for  once,  Hugh  did  not  express  this  feeling  out- 
wardly, at  least  at  first.  He  had  determined,  as  soon 
as  he  heard  of  Brownker's  arrival,  to  adopt  so  far  as 
in  him  lay  the  man's  own  weapons.  Meanwhile, 
Mr.  Brownker  seemed  to  enjoy  his  fare  and  his  com- 
pany, and  the  second  bottle  of  wine  was  half  gone 
before,  breaking  a  pause  in  a  conversation  about  the 
threatened  invasion  from  France,  he  suddenly  leaned 
across  the  table  with  a  curious  smile,  and  raised  his 
glass. 

"  A  toast,  Montgomery,  in  bumpers.  Our  friend- 
ship— may  it  last  till  death." 

This  move,  as  Brownker  intended,  broke  down  all 
Hugh's  diplomatic  reserve. 

292 


The  King's  Agent 

"  No,"  he  said  shortly.  "  I  cannot ;  that  would  be 
drinking  to  a  lie." 

Brownker  coolly  held  up  his  glass  to  the  light. 

"You  think  our  friendship,  then,  a  lie?" 

"  It  is  not  worth  the  name  now." 

"  There  I  differ  with  you,"  and  bowing,  he  drained 
his  glass.  "  Pray,  more,"  holding  it  out.  "  I  thank 
you.  Your  wine,  like  your  honesty,  friend,  has  not  its 
fellow  in  the  town." 

Hugh  filled  up  the  glass  in  silence. 

"  Come,  now,"  Brownker  said  cheerfully,  his  face 
all  smiles  and  good-humour.  "  This  will  never  do. 
Let  me  tell  you  your  thoughts,  man.  '  This  Brown- 
ker,' say  you  to  yourself,  '  is  a  most  pestilent  person, 
and  I  am  weary  of  him.  He  has  made  use  of  me  for 
his  ends,  while  pretending  the  advancement  of  my 
own.  He  brought  me  to  the  King  as  if  to  give  me 
opportunity,  then  found  one  for  himself.  Last  of  all — 
and  worst — pretending  zeal  for  justice,  he  has  drawn 
Marlborough  into  a  snare  by  a  woman's  wile,  and  will 
now  undo  him  by  fair  means  or  foul.'  Is  that  not  a 
true  interpretation  of  your  thoughts  ?  " 

"  You  interpret  very  well,"  Hugh  said  grimly,  "  if 
I  must  speak  the  truth." 

"  You  must,"  Brownker  said  with  a  laugh,  "  and 
so,  for  once,  must  I." 

He  became  grave  now,  and  had  he  been  any  other 
man  Hugh  would  have  said  he  was  in  earnest. 

"  I  am  what  you  suppose,"  he  said,  "  in  some  re- 
spects. I  have  used  you,  and  for  a  purpose,  and  I  have 
come  here  to  confess  to  it.  But  my  purpose  is  not 
Marlborough's  destruction  and  has  never  been."  He 
paused  to  sip  his  wine  and  the  earnestness  in  his  face 
deepened.  "  My  purpose,  Montgomery,  is  to  marry 
Isabel  Fretchville  myself." 

293 


The  King's  Agent 

Hugh  gave  a  start,  but  immediately  recovered 
himself. 

"  Then  what  you  said  before  we  saw  the  King " 

"  That  was  a  lie  deliberately  told.  This  the  truth 
deliberately  told." 

"  But  with  the  same  purpose — to  deceive  me." 

"  I  am,  I  say,  telling  the  truth." 

"  You  expect  me  to  believe  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  because,  if  you  think  a  little,  you 
must  see  I  could  have  no  motive  in  inventing  such 
a  lie." 

"  I  have  yet  to  discover  what  your  motive  is." 

"  It  is  not  far  to  seek,  friend." 

"  Friend !  "  Hugh  exclaimed  between  his  teeth. 
"  How  you  make  a  mock  of  truth  at  every  turn !  " 

Brownker  smiled  an  amused  smile.  "  Recollect  I 
said  only  till  death." 

Hugh's  face  became  rigid  and  colourless. 

"  What !  "  he  said  slowly.  "  It  is,  then,  to  be  the 
Hampstead  fields  again  ?  " 

"  If  it  is  your  wish.     It  is  not  mine." 

"  You  lie !  "  cried  Hugh  fiercely.  "  Why,  it  is  the 
shortest  way,  the  easiest,  and  the  surest  for  your  pur- 
pose." 

Brownker  stifled  a  yawn. 

"  My  dear  Montgomery,  I  prophesied  once  that 
with  a  little  practice  and  instruction  you  could  kill  me. 
You  have  since  practised,  and  you  have  been  well 
taught.  I  should  have  no  advantage  now.  For  that 
reason,  if  you  insist,  I  cannot  refuse  to  meet  you,  but, 
as  the  choice  of  weapons  would  thus  lie  with  me,  I 
warn  you  I  shall  choose  small  swords  blunted  at  the 
point." 

He  spoke  as  if  the  matter  bored  him  exceedingly, 
but  Hugh,  whose  faculties  were  keenly  alert  this  even- 

294 


The  King's  Agent 

ing,  detected  something  beneath  this  indifference, 
something  which  gave  him  a  curious  shock. 

"  You  mean,  then,"  he  said  in  a  lower  tone,  "  that 
you  will  not  fight  me  to  the  death  ?  " 

Brownker  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  I  have  a  reputation  to  uphold  for  mendacity,  it 
seems,  so  I  leave  you  to  decide." 

The  table  creaked  and  shook,  and  the  glasses  on  it 
trembled.  Hugh  had  risen,  and  now  stood  close  by  his 
guest's  chair. 

"  Brownker,  I  will  have  the  truth  of  this,  and  your 
full  meaning.  You  say  you  would  marry  Isabel  ?  " 

"  If  my  wit  can  manage  it." 

"  It  has  always  been  your  purpose  ?  " 

Brownker  paused  a  moment. 

"  It  has  been  my  purpose  since  I  first  knew  you." 

"  You  are  a  man  who  has  fought  a  dozen  duels  for 
women,  and  have  always  killed  your  enemy." 

"  I  have  had  that  good  fortune  now  and  then." 

"  Then  why,  in  God's  name,  did  you  not  kill  me 
when  you  had  me  in  your  power  ?  " 

There  was  a  long  silence  before  Brownker  replied. 

"  It  would  not  have  been  to  my  advantage  then," 
he  said  at  last  very  coldly.  "  Since  " — he  paused,  meet- 
ing Hugh's  eager  eyes  with  a  long,  steady  glance — "  it 
happens  that  my  mind  is  changed  in  certain  ways.  If 
to  kill  you  meant  even  that  I  should  wed  her  within 
four-and-twenty  hours,  it  is  no  mock  at  truth  to  say  I 
should  decline  the  honour  of  her  hand." 

Another  silence  lasting  half  a  minute  and  Hugh 
heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

"  I  have  misjudged  again,"  he  said  thickly.  "  'Fore 
God,  Brownker,  I  have  done  you  wrong." 

He  held  out  his  hand,  and  the  other  gripped  it. 

"  No  man  but  you  would  say  that,"  was  the  reply 
295 


The  King's  Agent 

in  a  low  tone.  "  Gad,  Montgomery  " — he  dropped  the 
hand  and  turned  away  with  a  queer,  dry  laugh — "  why 
is  it  that,  in  spite  of  all  our  differences,  though  we  have 
hated,  fought,  and  lied  against  each  other,  and  shall 
again,  yet  we  clasp  hands.  I  spoke  the  truth  when  I 
said  that  we  were  friends." 

"  You  spoke  the  truth."  But  the  words  were 
spoken  in  a  troubled  tone. 

Karl  noticed  it.  "  But  you  ask  why  ?  I  will  tell 
you,  friend.  This  is  the  last  time  we  shall  meet  in  pri- 
vate until  she  takes  one  of  us  for  better  or  for  worse. 
To-morrow  you  go  to  Holland  to  convey  despatches  to 
the  King,  and  plead  for  Maryborough's  life." 

He  paused  to  smile  as  Hugh's  face  suddenly  fell. 

"  I  mean  to-morrow  night,"  he  added.  "  Such  a 
rider  as  yourself  can  do  a  journey  to  St.  Albans  and  re- 
turn within  eight  hours.  Time  enough  for  you  to  be  be- 
trothed, if  she  is  willing,  in  between.  Pish  !  "  as  Hugh 
uttered  an  exclamation  of  amazement.  "  Have  I  made 
intelligencing  my  especial  business  for  so  many  years 
to  be  hoodwinked  by  you  when  more  than  my  life  de- 
pends on  it?  I  know  all  that  passed  to-night,  and  all 
you  intend  doing  to-morrow." 

"  Then  you  are  the  very  devil,  Karl."  Hugh  smiled 
as  he  called  him  by  name,  and  they  both  laughed. 

"  You  honour  my  poor  wit  too  much,  I  fear.  But 
that  is  to  be  seen.  I  cannot  prevent  your  journey  to 
St.  Albans,  nor  the  appeal  to  William.  All  I  can  do 
is  to  use  them,  if  I  may,  to  help  myself,  unless,  in- 
deed, you  prefer  that  I  should  go  to  Holland  in  your 
place." 

Hugh's  face  changed  at  once. 

"  God  forbid !  "  he  cried,  then  stopped.  "  Stay,  I 
am  sorry " 

Brownker  took  snuff. 

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The  King's  Agent 

"  My  friend,  we  understand  each  other." 

"  I  do  not  know  that  yet." 

Brownker  took  up  his  hat  and  sword.  "  You  will 
when  you  have  thought  it  out,  and  I  will  go  now  to 
give  you  opportunity.  We  meet  to-morrow  night, 
then,  at  my  house.  The  despatches  for  the  King  will 
be  open  for  your  reading,  and  you  will  have  audience 
with  him  when  and  where  you  please.  He  is  easier  to 
see  in  Holland  than  in  London,  and  he  likes  you — I 
will  tell  you  that.  Further,  you  are  to  see  Isabel  first, 
and  if  the  words  of  the  princess  have  any  truth  in  them 
you  should  see  her  to  some  purpose.  Is  all  this  clear  ? 
Are  the  cards  upon  the  table?  Or  have  you  still  a 
question  you  would  ask  ?  " 

"  A  dozen  questions,"  Hugh  said  bluntly.  "  You 
have  shown  me  cards,  ay,  but  what  others  are  there  in 
your  hand " 

"Hold,  hold!"  Brownker  exclaimed.  "That  is 
enough.  Why  have  I  opened  my  mouth  ?  "  His  man- 
ner changed.  The  smile  left  his  face — left  it  cold  and 
stern.  "  Because  this  struggle  that  is  now  to  come  be- 
tween us  shall  be  in  the  open,  Hugh.  The  thought  that 
I  would  tell  you  this  came  to  me  in  the  cellar  yonder, 
when  Marlborough  cast  his  net  about  your  shoulders 
and  drew  you  from  me.  I  have  scorned  you  as  a  fool. 
I  do  not  now.  You  are  a  man  worth  winning,  friend. 
But  our  hearts'  desire  lies  in  this  girl,  so  we  must  plan 
to  trip  each  other  up.  Yet,  for  the  sake  of  that  friend- 
ship which  will  last  through  all  I  have  spoken  now, 
remember,  I  do  not  desire  Marlborough's  death,  but 
Isabel  to  wife.  Now  I  must  go." 

He  took  a  quick  step  forward,  and  they  gripped 
hands  again. 

"  A  good  ride  to  you,  my  friend." 

He  spoke  in  the  old  tone,  cynical  and  dry.  "  And  a 
297 


The  King's  Agent 

kind  reception!     But  meet  me  at  eight  of  the  clock 
equipped  for  Holland." 

He  went  out  and  closed  the  door  carefully  after 
himself.  On  the  stair  Hugh's  servants  watched  him 
narrowly,  and  as  the  hall  door  closed  they  shook  their 
heads  and  agreed  when  they  compared  notes  that  a 
face  more  sinister  than  this  Agent's  they  had  never 
seen. 


298 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

HUGH  was  tired  out  after  the  labour  and  excitement 
of  the  day,  but  instead  of  going  to  bed  upon  Brown- 
ker's  departure,  he  paced  his  room  until  the  can- 
dles grew  low  in  their  sockets,  and  it  was  past  mid- 
night. 

The  idea  of  going  to  The  Hague  with  the  news 
of  Marlborough's  arrest  and  personally  pleading  for 
Marlborough's  life  had  not  occurred  to  him  until 
Brownker  suggested  it,  but  once  in  his  mind  the  no- 
tion refused  to  go.  In  vain  did  he  rack  his  brain  to 
discover  a  reason  why  he  should  not  leave  England. 
There  was  none  except  the  possibility  that  Karl  would 
make  use  of  his  rival's  absence  to  force  his  own  suit 
upon  Isabel.  But  this  could  be  easily  prevented  by  a 
word  to  Lord  Tottenham.  Besides  which,  Hugh  did 
not  believe  in  such  a  possibility.  The  air  was  clear 
now,  the  challenge  thrown  down.  Poor  Brownker! 
Hugh,  flushed  with  the  hope  given  him  by  Anne,  could 
afford  to  pity  his  rival.  Yet  he  was  deadly,  and  was 
fighting  for  his  life.  Hugh's  nerves  were  on  edge  with 
overfatigue,  his  brain  throbbing.  Grim  forebodings 
began  to  chill  him  to  the  soul.  He  must  go  to  William, 
then,  but  what  plea  was  he  to  make  for  Marlbor- 
ough  ?  Lord  Tottenham  might  swear  that  he  had  first 
heard  news  of  the  invasion  from  the  earl,  and  that  by 
this  warning  Marlborough  had  saved  the  country,  but 
this  would  avail  little  against  the  Association  with  Marl- 
20  299 


The  King's  Agent 

borough's  name  upon  it,  and  the  letter  to  him  signed 
by  James. 

In  fact,  was  not  Marlborough  really  guilty,  after 
all?  And  if  so,  what  was  to  be  said  to  Isabel,  who 
would  believe  to  her  dying  day  that  Marlborough  was 
innocent?  This  problem  depressed  Hugh  more  than 
any  other  yet.  But  he  must  do  his  best,  in  any  case. 
Plead  for  a  full  and  open  trial  for  Marlborough,  beg 
for  time  to  test  every  shred  of  evidence,  and,  if  possi- 
ble, persuade  the  King  that  it  was  a  woman,  not  high 
treason,  that  was  at  the  bottom  of  it  all. 

Having  arrived  at  this  conclusion,  Hugh  made  up 
his  mind  to  go  to  bed,  and  had  stooped  to  extinguish 
the  candles  when  he  heard  the  violent  ringing  of  a  bell. 
Such  a  sound  at  the  dead  of  night  is  always  ominous. 
In  Hugh's  present  condition  of  nerves  it  brought  him 
to  the  door  and  out  into  the  passage  in  a  moment. 
There  he  heard  his  servant  unbarring  the  hall  door, 
and  going  downstairs,  found  him  holding  a  candle, 
under  the  light  of  which  was  Marie's  face,  pale,  eager, 
imperative. 

"  I  will  not  be  denied,"  she  was  saying.  "  I  am  Mr. 
Montgomery's  cousin." 

This  statement  was  not  at  all  convincing  to  Pirn, 
the  butler,  an  old  soldier  in  Hugh's  company,  but  hear- 
ing his  master  behind  him  he  stood  stiffly  aside,  upon 
which  Marie  swept  in  like  a  whirlwind. 

"  I  have  come  on  a  matter,  Hugh,"  she  cried,  "  that 
admits  of  no  delay.  I  am  on  my  way  to  France." 

Hugh  bowed,  without  pretence  of  welcome. 

"  To-morrow  morning "  he  began. 

"  I  shall  be  at  Dover.  You  must  take  me  in  to- 
night, and  give  me  food,  and  listen  to  me.  Quick,  tell 
your  man.  Ah,  there  is  Patrick.  Pat,  close  the  door." 

At  her  word  the  door  was  slammed  with  a  mighty 
300 


The  King's  Agent 

bang,  and  Patrick,  looking  truly  enormous  in  a  huge 
riding-coat  with  a  heavy  cape,  placed  his  back  against 
it  with  a  nod  which  made  Pirn  tingle  all  over.  Hugh's 
face  darkened,  and  with  a  smothered  exclamation  he 
w.as  about  to  give  Pirn  an  order  which  would  have  had 
serious  results  when  Marie  laid  both  hands  upon  his 
arm. 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  help  me,  Hugh — for  Isabel's 
sake,  listen  to  what  I  have  to  say." 

The  name  made  him  pause.  Then  he  shook  his 
head.  "  I  will  not  listen  here,"  he  said.  "  I  will  not 
have  you  within  my  house  five  minutes.  Go  back  to 
Chelsea,  and  at  the  earliest  hour  you  please  after  day- 
light I  am  at  your  service." 

Marie  stamped  her  foot. 

"  You  fool !  What !  you  will  ruin  yourself  and 
bring  misery  upon  all  you  love  for  the  sake  of  a  punc- 
tilio, a  prudish,  craven  fear  of  what  the  world  may  say 
— and  you  call  yourself  a  man  ?  " 

There  were  now  steps  outside  and  the  tramp  of  feet 
in  the  road.  At  this  sound  Marie  shrank  up  to  Hugh 
with  terror  in  her  eyes. 

"  I  have  been  followed,  pursued.  Hugh,  protect 
me — hide  me  away  somewhere.  You  will  not  give 
me  up." 

A  violent  knocking  at  the  door.  Hugh  pointed  up 
the  stairs. 

"  Go  to  the  first  landing.  No  one  will  follow."  She 
obeyed  swiftly.  "  You,  sirrah,"  Hugh  added  to  Pat, 
"  follow  your  mistress."  Then,  as  the  man  gave  a  long- 
ing glance  at  the  door  and  clenched  his  fists,  "  Nay, 
friend,  get  you  out  of  sight,  for  they  will  recognise 
you.  Pim,  open  when  I  give  word,  but  not  before." 

On  the  wall  were  hanging  two  heavy  cavalry 
swords.  These  Hugh  took  down,  giving  one  to  his 

301 


The  King's  Agent 

servant  and  feeling  the  edge  of  the  other  himself. 
Meanwhile  the  knocking  continued  without  intermis- 
sion, and  brought  all  the  servants  from  their  beds.  At 
sight  of  the  swords  the  women  screamed  and  ran  away, 
while  the  men,  scarcely  less  frightened,  hung  about  the 
hall  sheepishly  in  corners.  Hugh  made  a  sign  to  Pirn, 
the  door  was  opened  wide,  and  in  walked  Lord  Tot- 
tenham. 

At  sight  of  the  bare  steel  and  the  grim  faces  his 
lordship  stared  in  open-mouthed  surprise.  Then  he 
burst  out  laughing. 

"  By  Gad,  do  ye  take  me  for  the  French  ?  " 

"  Not  quite,  my  lord,"  Hugh  answered,  joining  in 
the  laugh.  "  But  I  thought  you  were  an  enemy." 

All  was  bustle  now,  and  whispering  and  smothered 
laughter  in  the  servants'  quarter,  for  my  lord  had  come 
in  his  chair  with  an  escort.  Hugh  ordered  suitable 
refreshment  for  the  men  and  took  the  earl  upstairs. 
Nevertheless  Hugh  was  very  much  put  out  at  this  in- 
vasion. 

"  I  have  a  visitor,"  he  said  abruptly,  making  no 
reply  to  a  few  words  from  my  lord  explaining  his  rea- 
son for  making  a  call  at  such  an  hour.  "  My  cousin." 

He  had  no  time  to  say  more,  for  Marie  herself  ap- 
peared in  the  doorway.  She  had  thrown  off  her  cloak, 
hat,  and  gloves.  Her  hair  was  dishevelled  with  riding, 
her  face  flushed  with  excitement,  in  consequence  of 
which  she  looked  prettier  than  usual  and  particularly 
mischievous.  Lord  Tottenham  at  this  vision  in  a 
bachelor's  quarters  bowed  with  a  wicked  smile. 

"  Gad's  life,  I  could  sink  with  confusion,"  he  cried, 
"  to  intrude  upon  a  friend  at  such  a  time.  No  wonder 
swords  were  out  of  sheath,  and  your  face  murderous, 
Hugh.  'Oddsbub,  I  will  depart  this  instant — ho,  ho, 
ho!" 

302 


The  King's  Agent 

He  had  been  laughing  internally  from  the  first 
glimpse  of  Marie's  face,  but  had  maintained  a  decent 
appearance  of  gravity  while  speaking;  now  he  broke 
down  and  burst  out  into  a  long  guffaw.  Hugh  was 
highly  annoyed,  for  he  foresaw  an  unending  series  of 
broad  jests  at  his  expense.  Moreover,  inevitably  as  the 
incident  had  come  about,  it  was  not  very  easy  to  ex- 
plain ;  yet  he  could  not  help  joining  in  the  laugh  against 
himself,  while  Marie,  shooting  coquettish  glances  at 
the  earl,  seemed  the  merriest  of  all.  Yet  she  spoke 
first. 

"  This  cousin  of  mine,  my  lord,"  she  said,  "  is  so 
brave  that  he  risks  not  only  life  for  my  protection,  but 
a  most  precious  reputation." 

She  spoke  bitterly,  for  with  a  true  instinct  she  di- 
vined all  that  Hugh  thought  of  her  and  hated  him  for 
it.  The  earl  laughed  again. 

"  Reputation !  Ton  my  life,  my  fair  mistress,  he 
has  none,  not  a  shred.  Gad,  I  can  assure  you  there's 
not  a  man  in  town  that  is  a  greater  prude.  But  your 
friendship — I  beg  pardon,  cousinship,  I  think  you 
called  it — has  broke  the  spell  once  and  for  all.  Ha, 
ha,  ha!" 

At  this  speech  Hugh's  lips  tightened.  The  matter 
had  ceased  to  be  a  joke. 

"  I  did  not  know,  my  lord,  that  you  would  need 
an  introduction  to  this  lady,"  he  said  stiffly.  "  Mis- 
tress Marie  Montgomery  is  the  only  child  of  my 
father's  brother — Sir  Charles.  I  thought  that  you  had 
met." 

At  Marie's  name  Lord  Tottenham's  manner  under- 
went a  remarkable  change. 

"  Indeed,  we  have  not  met,"  he  made  a  stiff,  formal 
obeisance.  "  I  am  your  servant,  madam." 

His  eyes  were  cold  now.  He  gave  Marie  a  keen 
303 


The  King's  Agent 

glance  which  she  found  it  hard  to  meet.    Her  colour 
rose,  and  she  turned  haughtily  to  Hugh. 

"  His  lordship  has  doubtless  come  to  see  you 
upon  business.  Perhaps  he  will  allow  me  to  do 
mine  first,  as  I  have  to  start  withL.  two  hours  for 
France." 

Lord  Tottenham  bit  his  lip,  and  with  another  bow 
was  about  to  leave  the  room,  when  he  was  arrested  by_ 
Hugh's  answer : 

"  If  your  business  concerns  the  Earl  of  Marlbor- 
ough,  as  I  think  it  does,  it  must  be  done  in  my  lord's 
presence." 

Marie  nervously  twisted  her  fingers. 

"  I  prefer — I  insist,  that  we  shall  be  alone." 

"  His  lordship  is  the  earl's  nearest  friend." 

"  Do  not  forget,"  Lord  Tottenham  said  dryly,  "  I 
am  his  wife's  as  well." 

Marie  writhed  under  the  glance  he  gave  her,  but 
she  met  it  bravely. 

"  I  have  naught  to  say,"  she  said  defiantly,  "  think 
what  you  please,  that  could  not  be  said  before  her  lady- 
ship herself." 

"  In  that  case,  my  dear  madam,"  he  rejoined  in  a 
gentler  tone,  "  there  is  nothing  you  need  fear.  Come, 
come,  you  may  trust  me,  on  my  honour." 

He  spoke  in  a  kindly,  reassuring  tone. 

"  Take  counsel  with  us  both.  The  truth  is  I  love 
Lord  Marlborough,  and  I  believed  you  had  tempted 
him  to  treason.  I  may  be  unjust." 

"  You  are  bitterly,  horribly  unjust." 

"  Prove  that,  and  help  my  boy  here  to  save  his 
life,  and  then  ask  what  you  will  of  Ned  Tottenham. 
Gad's  life,  madam,  if  you  have  an  ounce  of  regard 
for  that  poor  friend  of  mine  who  once  befriended  you, 
you  will  not  look  askance  at  me." 

304 


The  King's   Agent 

Her  eyes  became  dim  with  tears.  "  I  would  give 
my  life  for  his,"  she  cried,  "  and  my  life's  blood,  drop 
by  drop.  This  is  the  reason  why  I  am  here  now." 

The  words  came  as  if  wrung  out  by  a  force  she 
could  not  resist ;  then  she  broke  down,  buried  her  face 
in  her  hands,  and  sobbed  aloud. 

Lord  Tottenham  made  a  quick  sign  to  Hugh  to 
leave  the  room  and  pointed  to  the  candles,  the  last  of 
which  was  just  burning  itself  out.  When  Hugh  came 
back  bringing  fresh  lights  himself  he  found  Marie  fully 
recovered,  and  talking  fast  and  eagerly.  At  Hugh's 
entrance  Lord  Tottenham  interrupted  her. 

"  That  is  what  I  want,  just  what  I  want,"  he  said. 
"  But  it  must  be  writ  down  and  signed. — Hugh,  fetch 
pen  and  paper.  You  must  be  my  secretary  now,  and 
write  this  statement,  which  shall  be  laid  before  the 
House  of  Lords." 

Marie  began  to  look  frightened. 

"  I  dare  not  go  before  the  House  of  Lords.  I 
should  surely  die  of  fright." 

Lord  Tottenham  did  not  appear  to  hear  her.  He 
was  examining  the  point  of  the  quill  pen  Hugh  had  laid 
on  the  table. 

"  The  House  of  Lords,"  he  repeated  absently. 
"  Ay,  and  at  notice  of  your  attendance  there,  dear 
madam,  it  will  for  sure  be  full  to  overflowing." 

Marie  raised  her  head,  and  instinctively  smoothed 
back  her  hair. 

"  All  to  see  and  hear  a  poor  girl  speak  against  the 
Agent  of  the  King.  Surely  not." 

"  A  woman  who  is  brave  enough  to  face  Karl 
Brownker,"  Lord  Tottenham  went  on  in  the  same 
absent  tone,  "  will  attract  and  win  the  hearts  of  every 
man  at  Westminster.  But  if  you  are  afraid " 

Marie  laughed  and  shook  her  head. 
305 


The  King's  Agent 

"  I  am  not  the  least  afraid.  I  am  ready  to  begin, 
my  lord." 

Hugh  had  collected  writing  materials,  and  seated 
himself  obedient  to  the  earl's  instructions.  But  his 
face,  Lord  Tottenham  perceived,  expressed  doubts  and 
questions  which  should  be  set  at  rest. 

"  The  fact  is,  Mr.  Secretary,"  he  said  in  a  cheerful 
tone,  "  while  you  obtained  your  candles  I  obtained 
your  fair  cousin's  confidence.  You  know  that  I  have 
been  certain  from  the  first  my  Lord  Marlborough  was 
the  victim  of  a  plot.  That  plot  our  madam  here  will 
now  unfold,  and  you  must  write  it  down.  It  is  what 
the  lawyers  call  a  deposition,  and  as  such  will  go  be- 
fore the  House  of  Lords — ay,  and  the  Queen  herself. 
I  am  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  can  make  the  paper 
legal  evidence ;  and  our  mistress  being  your  cousin  " — 
here  Lord  Tottenham's  cheerfulness  was  such  that  he 
even  paused  to  chuckle — "  or  at  least  so  she  leads  us  to 
believe,  cannot  but  speak  the  truth,  and  further,  she 
will  take  oath  upon  it  all.  Madam,  we  are  ready.  Pray 
begin." 


306 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

MARIE'S  statement  was  delivered,  signed,  and 
sealed  in  two  hours.  All  that  pertained  to  the  secret  in- 
structions of  Karl  Brownker,  to  the  decoying  of  Marl- 
borough  to  Chelsea,  the  production  of  the  forged  docu- 
ments— the  Association  and  the  letter  from  James 
to  Marlborough — was  put  down,  and  sworn  to,  to- 
gether with  a  reasonably  truthful  account  of  Marlbor- 
ough's  last  visit  to  herself  and  his  rejection  of  the  pro- 
posal to  go  to  France. 

It  was  a  telling  and  circumstantial  story,  and  Lord 
Tottenham,  ever  sanguine,  was  confident  that  with 
proper  manipulation  he  could  knock  the  bottom  out  of 
any  evidence  Brownker  could  produce. 

The  servants  were  then  roused  up,  and  Marie  was 
sent  home  to  Chelsea  under  a  strong  escort,  with  writ- 
ten orders  from  Lord  Tottenham,  in  his  capacity  of  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  to  appear  before  the  Secretary  of 
State  next  day.  This  would  prevent  any  danger  of 
Brownker  attempting  by  illegal  method  or  intimida- 
tion to  get  possession  of  her  person,  and  stifle  her  evi- 
dence. 

"  What  I  cannot  understand,"  his  lordship  said,  as 
he  sat  down  with  Hugh  to  eat  the  remains  of  the  last 
night's  supper,  for  sleep  was  out  of  the  question,  "  is 
the  motive  of  this  accursed  villain  for  hunting  Marl- 
borough  into  such  a  hole.  It  must  be  that  William  has 
such  devilish  spite  against  Jack  that  he  will  stick  at 

307 


The  King's  Agent 

nothing,  and  that  Brownker  is  promised  some  particu- 
lar bounty  if  he  compasses  the  deed.  Yet  that  is  not 
like  William,  nor,  to  give  him  justice,  your  old  enemy. 
No ! "  and  the  earl  thumped  the  table,  in  his  earnest- 
ness, until  the  glasses  rang.  "  No,  by  Gad !  There  is 
something  behind  it  all.  We  have  not  plumbed  him 
yet." 

Hugh  said  nothing.  He  knew  the  answer  to  the 
question,  but  felt  it  better  not  to  give  it — at  least  until 
he  had  seen  Isabel,  of  whom  his  mind  was  full.  After 
consideration,  however,  he  told  the  earl  of  his  pro- 
posed expedition  to  St.  Albans.  Lord  Tottenham 
grumbled. 

"  Business  should  come  first.  If  you  delay  your 
journey  to  William  but  one  day,"  he  said,  "  by 
Gad,  you  may  find  Brownker  has  struck  first,  and 
the  King's  mind  closed  against  any  argument  or  rea- 
son." 

"  But  I  am  to  convey  a  full  report,  which  is  open 
for  my  perusal,  and  to  which  I  can  make  additions." 

"  Pish !  How  about  the  private  report,  which  you 
will  not  peruse?  It  is  my  thought  you  should  reach 
William  before  he  can  get  that.  But  maybe  'tis  all 
the  same,  and  who  can  blame  a  man  for  going  to  his 
maid ;  not  I,  i'  faith !  What !  your  horse  is  ready 
now  ?  " 

They  heard  it  on  the  pavement  beneath  the  win- 
dow, and  Hugh  rose,  though  his  breakfast  was  not  half 
eaten. 

"  I  shall  be  back  to-night,"  he  said.  "  You  will  see 
Brownker,  my  lord,  touching  my  cousin?  " 

Lord  Tottenham  laughed. 

"  Oh,  ay.  I  will  see  him.  But  mark  me,  his  nose 
will  be  on  the  scent,  no  matter  what  I  say.  You  fear 
that?" 

308 


The  King's  Agent 

"  I  fear  nothing,"  Hugh  said,  wringing  the  earl's 
hand,  "  if  what  her  Highness  said  proves  true." 

He  swung  off  down  the  stairs,  and  was  upon  his 
horse  almost  before  Lord  Tottenham  had  time  to 
draw  up  the  window-blind.  A  wave  of  the  hand,  and 
with  a  mighty  clatter  of  hoofs  on  the  stones,  Hugh's 
impatient  horse  swept  round  the  corner,  and  Lord  Tot- 
tenham, with  a  smile  and  a  sigh,  sat  down  again  and 
finished  his  breakfast. 

He  had  not  told  Hugh  of  his  adventures  last  night. 
How  he  had  found  the  Secretary  of  State  obdurate  to 
every  plea  to  grant  Lady  Sarah  permission  to  see  her 
husband,  which  had  sent  that  unfortunate  lady  back 
to  Berkeley  House  frantic  with  rage  and  anxiety; 
how,  after  her  departure,  Lord  Nottingham  said  that 
he  had  received  the  strictest  orders  from  the  Queen 
herself  to  admit  no  one  to  the  Tower,  and  until  this 
instruction  was  countermanded  could  issue  no  permit 
at  all ;  how  the  whole  country  was  in  a  panic  over  the 
invasion,  and  popular  feeling  ran  so  high  that  if  Marl- 
borough  were  tried  immediately  he  would  have  a  very 
slender  chance  of  escaping  with  his  life.  All  this  Lord 
Tottenham  had  intended  to  tell  Hugh  when  he  invaded 
him  so  unexpectedly,  but  Marie's  presence  had  turned 
his  thoughts  and  ideas,  and  there  had  been  hardly  time 
since.  While  his  lordship  finished  his  breakfast,  how- 
ever, he  ran  over  in  his  mind  all  his  experiences — cal- 
culated the  chances  and  weighed  the  pros  and  cons. 
As  a  result,  when  he  went  out  he  bent  his  steps,  not  to 
Brownker's  house,  nor  to  the  Secretary's,  but  to  St. 
James's  Palace,  and  arriving  there,  sent  an  urgent  ap- 
peal to  be  allowed  a  few  minutes'  private  audience  with 
her  Majesty  the  Queen.  This  was  granted,  and  when 
he  made  his  bow  in  the  royal  closet  he  held  Marie's 
statement  open  in  his  hand. 

309 


The  King's  Agent 

Meanwhile  Hugh  pursued  his  way  to  St.  Albans. 
He  rode  at  such  a  pace  that  the  country  people  thought 
the  French  had  landed,  and  consternation  spread  far 
and  wide.  At  Elstree,  where  he  stopped  for  a  few  min- 
utes to  rest  his  horse  and  refresh  himself,  he  was  be- 
sieged by  eager  questions  and  the  wildest  statements. 
The  fleet  had  been  destroyed,  James  had  arrived  at 
Plymouth,  Queen  Mary  was  flying  for  her  life,  and  last 
— and  worst,  to  Hugh's  ears — the  people  declared  that 
Marlborough  was  at  the  bottom  of  it  all.  They  knew, 
Hugh  discovered,  that  he  was  now  in  the  Tower,  and 
though  no  one  had  the  least  evidence  to  produce  in 
support  of  his  opinion,  the  impression  seemed  to  exist 
everywhere  that  he  should  be  beheaded  out  of  hand. 
Hugh  lost  patience  at  last,  and  so  vigorously  pooh- 
poohed  the  danger,  and  defended  Marlborough's 
name,  that  the  perplexed  and  frightened  people  began 
to  suspect  him  of  being  a  Jacobite  himself.  But  no 
one  actively  interfered  with  his  movements,  and  he  was 
presently  alone  again  on  the  St.  Albans  road.  He  rode 
faster  now.  What  if  these  rumours  had  reached  St. 
Albans,  and  Isabel,  alone  at  Hollywell,  believed  them ! 
The  thought  maddened  Hugh.  He  drove  in  the  spur 
and  flew. 

Hollywell  House  looked  dull  and  deserted.  It  was 
noon,  but  no  children  were  playing  on  the  lawn  or 
frolicking  about  the  drive.  A  bright  and  beautiful  May 
day,  yet  the  windows  were  all  closed,  and  over  many 
the  blinds  were  drawn.  A  new  fear  seized  Hugh. 
The  place  had  been  deserted.  He  leaped  from  his 
sweating  horse,  and  rang  the  great  bell  furiously. 
The  summons  was  quickly  answered,  and  the  servant 
started  with  surprise  at  what  he  saw.  Hugh  was 
splashed  with  mud  from  head  to  foot,  his  face  was  hag- 
gard and  wan. 

310 


The  King's  Agent 

"Mistress  Fretchville,  John "  Then  he 

paused,  for  the  man  laid  a  ringer  on  his  lips. 

"  Speak  soft,  sir,  he  is  asleep !  " 

"  Who  ?    What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Master  Charley.    You  have  heard  ?  " 

"  Not  a  word." 

"  Why,  he  sickened  with  a  fever,  nigh  a  week  ago, 
and  they've  give  him  up,  all  but  the  Mistress  Isabel — 
she  gives  nothing  up,  God  bless  her.  But  he's  a-dying 
sure." 

Hugh  was  in  the  hall  now,  the  door  shut  behind 
him.  In  five  minutes  he  knew  all  that  had  happened. 
There  had  been  sickness  in  the  village — some  obscure 
form  of  malignant  fever — and  just  as  Isabel  had  made 
arrangements  to  remove  all  the  children  Charley  was 
stricken  with  it.  The  rest,  with  Madam  Carrington 
and  all  the  maids,  were  gone  to  Lord  Godolphin's.  Isa- 
bel herself,  giving  up  all  her  work,  had  taken  sole 
charge  of  the  boy.  No  one  had  seen  him  but  herself 
and  the  doctor,  and  this  servant,  John  Biggs,  an  old 
retainer.  He  told  Hugh  that  Isabel  had  scarcely  tasted 
food,  and  not  slept  at  all. 

"  The  little  one  cries  so,"  the  old  man  said,  tears 
trickling  down  his  own  cheeks.  "  Always  a-cryin',  and 
when  the  doctor's  there  he  screams  till  I  can  hardly 
hold  myself." 

"  Doctor  Burtnup  is  the  best,"  Hugh  began,  when 
he  saw  a  curious  expression  on  the  butler's  face. 

"  But  it  ain't  Burtnup,  sir,  it's  Sir  John  Horniman, 
the  great  physician,  and — he — he's  different.  Mistress 
Isabel  fair  loathes  him." 

The  mention  of  her  name  drew  Hugh's  thoughts 
into  another  channel. 

"  I  must  see  her,  Biggs.    Tell  her  I  am  here." 

The  man  shook  his  head.     "  She'll  not  come  till 


The  King's  Agent 

after  Sir  John  has  called.  The  boy  is  crying  now — 
listen!" 

He  pointed  up  the  stairs,  and  Hugh  heard  a  broken 
wail  that  cut  him  to  the  heart,  but  his  purpose  held. 

"  It  will  be  but  for  a  moment.  Go  to  her,  and  say — 
ay,  you  must  say  it — the  earl  is  in  danger  of  his  life." 

The  butler  started.  "  God  'a'  mercy !  What's  to 
do,  sir?" 

But  Hugh,  burning  with  impatience,  and  the  irrita- 
tion of  being  in  a  situation  that  crushed  at  a  blow  all 
his  hopes  and  anticipations,  could  not  endure  further 
questions. 

"  Obey  me,  man,  and  go.  I  will  see  her,  though  I 
storm  the  sick-room." 

The  man  gave  a  deep  sigh,  and  then  trotted  obedi- 
ently away.  He  was  bursting  with  curiosity,  but  there 
was  something  in  Hugh's  face  that  would  not  be  de- 
nied. Hugh  paced  the  hall.  In  a  few  moments  he 
heard  a  well-remembered  step  upon  the  stair.  How 
pale  she  looked,  and  sorrowful,  and  yet  more  beautiful 
than  he  had  ever  seen  her,  for  in  her  eyes,  heavy  and 
weary  as  they  were,  there  was  an  eager  longing.  They 
clasped  hands,  and  a  d«ep  sense  of  peace  entered 
Hugh's  heart.  In  her  distress  and  bitter  sorrow  she 
turned  to  him. 

"  You  were  good  to  come,"  she  said.  "  But  how 
hard  you  have  ridden !  Biggs,  bring  wine  and  any- 
thing there  is  into  the  library  at  once.  Come  there, 
and  tell  me — tell  me  all." 

They  went  there,  and  though  Hugh  resigned  her 
hand  before  the  servant,  no  sooner  were  they  alone 
than  he  claimed  it  again  and  held  it  fast  between  his 
own. 

"  He  is  in  prison  ?  "  she  said. 

"  For  the  time,  but  we  shall  presently  deliver  him. 
312 


The  King's  Agent 

Be  sure  of  that.  I  am  going  to  Holland,  to  the  King. 
Lord  Tottenham  will  raise  every  interest  here.  Have 
no  fears  of  the  result."  He  believed  this  while  he 
spoke. 

She  smiled — the  first  smile,  if  he  had  known  it,  that 
had  been  there  for  many  weary  weeks. 

"  I  have  no  fears." 

"  But  Charley,  how  is  he?  " 

"  So  ill."  The  words  came  in  a  whisper,  and  her 
eyes  filled  with  tears.  "  The  doctor  says  that  he  must 
die." 

"  You  believe  this  doctor  ?  " 

"  He  is  a  brute."  She  spoke  with  a  slow  emphasis 
that  made  Hugh  start. 

"  Why  do  you  have  him  ?  " 

She  gave  a  bitter  sigh.  "  Because  Charley  is  not 
my  child,  and  Sir  John  Horniman  is  directly  chosen 
by  her  ladyship,  and  my  poor  Burtnup  forbid  the 
house.  Hugh,  I  could  kill  that  man."  She  gritted  her 
teeth.  "  I  thought  I  should  have  done  so  the  other 
day." 

"  Tell  me  all  about  it,  Isabel." 

He  held  her  hand  closely,  and  this  brought  them 
very  near  together.  But  it  was  Isabel's  fault.  Without 
thinking  of  it  she  had  called  him  by  his  name ;  nor  did 
she  draw  away  from  him  now,  as  she  ought  to  have 
done. 

"  He  is  careless,  rude,  cruel,  heartless.  He  would 
make  the  boy  swallow  his  medicines  and  be  bled 
by  threats  and  violence,  and  takes  a  pleasure  in  his 
cries." 

"  What !  he  bleeds  so  young  a  child !  " 

"  Each  day.  You  will  not  know  the  manikin,  he 
is  so  thin  and  white.  I  protested,  prayed,  beseeched 
against  such  treatment,  then  at  last  threw  the  leeches 

313 


The  King's  Agent 

out  of  window.  He  slunk  away  that  day.  Then  sent 
express  to  town,  and  next  morning — it  was  yesterday 
— came  a  letter  from  her  ladyship  which  I  dare  not  dis- 
obey. The  man  has  not  come,  but  he  sent  word  he 
would  be  here  this  morning.  Hark!  There  is  his 
coach.  Oh,  if  my  lord  were  here!  I  sent  privily  to 
him,  but  what  you  say  explains  it  all.  He  has  heard 
nothing,  and  now  he  will  hear  nothing,  except  that 
his  best-loved  child  is  dead — is  dead." 

She  was  sobbing  now,  the  deep-drawn,  heavy  sobs 
of  one  overwrought  and  overdone  with  sleepless 
nights  and  hard  work,  and  bitter  anxiety  borne  all 
alone.  Hugh's  heart  was  nearly  bursting,  yet  his  face, 
as  he  stooped  over  her,  and  without  word  or  question 
took  her  in  his  arms  and  kissed  her,  was  white  and 
rigid. 

"  Isabel !  Will  you  trust  me  to  stand  in  my  lord's 
stead?" 

She  stopped  crying,  and  raised  her  face  wonder- 
ingly,  doubtfully,  and  Hugh  saw  with  a  curious  thrill 
that  in  the  tense  preoccupation  of  her  thoughts  she 
was  apparently  unconscious  of  all  that  he  had  done. 

"  What  shall  you  do,  then  ?    What  can  you  do  ?  " 

"  All  that  needs  doing.  Take  me  to  the  manikin 
and  see." 

She  smiled,  with  the  content  of  one  who  has  sud- 
denly found  rest  and  strength,  and  as  the  crushing  of 
the  gravel  outside  announced  the  arrival  of  the  doctor 
she  led  the  way  into  the  hall.  Biggs  was  just  about  to 
undo  the  door. 

"  Hold,  man,"  Hugh  said,  and  in  his  tone,  though 
quiet  enough,  there  was  a  ring  that  took  away  the  wor- 
thy servant's  breath.  "  Do  not  open.  Send  to  the 
stable  first.  Bid  two  men  saddle  and  with  a  spare 
horse  ride  top  speed  to  Dr.  Burtnup.  If  he  is  not  there 

3H 


The  King's  Agent 

let  them  follow  till  they  find  him.  If  he  comes  within 
an  hour  they  will  earn  five  pounds  apiece." 

The  old  man  gasped. 

"  But — but,  my  lady,  sir,  she  said " 

Hugh  stamped  his  foot. 

"  Obey,  I  tell  you.  And  leave  me  to  deal  with  her 
ladyship.  Off — instantly !  " 

The  old  servant  waited  no  longer,  but  vanished, 
chuckling  to  himself,  while  Hugh  followed  Isabel  up- 
stairs, and  entered  the  sick-room.  A  tousled  little 
head  lay  upon  the  pillow,  and  a  wasted,  frightened 
little  face,  which  at  sight  of  Hugh  changed  and  bright- 
ened into  a  weak,  trembling  smile.  Then  a  pair  of 
tiny  arms  held  out  to  him,  and  a  faint  voice  crying: 

"  Hugh,  Hugh ;  oh,  my  daddie-Hugh.  Poor 
Manny  is  so  sick,  poor  Manny  very  sick." 

What  happened  for  the  next  minute  Hugh  never 
told  any  one.  He  threw  himself  on  his  knees  by  the 
bed,  drew  the  child's  head  on  his  shoulder,  and  kissed 
the  white  hot  lips  until  Charley  drew  away  with  big 
astonished  eyes. 

"  You  cry  too  ?  Why,  daddie-Hugh,  has  big  ugly 
man  hurted  you  ?  " 

A  heavy  step  now  sounded  outside  the  door,  and 
Charley,  with  a  cry  of  terror,  clung  desperately  to  Hugh. 

"  Send  him  away,"  he  screamed.  "  Oh,  don't  let 
him  touch  Manny.  Don't !  don't !  " 

The  door  opened,  and  a  stout,  severely  dressed 
gentleman,  with  a  gold-headed  cane,  a  coarse-grained 
face,  and  a  luscious  flavour  about  his  person  of  strong 
liquors,  stalked  pompously  in. 

"  How  is  this,  madam  ?  "  he  exclaimed  in  a  hoarse, 
pursy  tone.  "  Your  servants  need  reminding  of  their 
duty ;  they  kept  me  waiting  two  minutes  at  the  door.'* 

He  puffed  out  his  cheeks  and  paused  for  the  ex- 
21  315 


The  King's  Agent 

pected  apology.  But  Isabel  made  no  answer,  and  the 
doctor  became  aware  that  some  one  else  was  in  the 
room. 

Hugh  rose  to  his  full  height  and  bowed.  "  Sir  John 
Horniman  ?  " 

The  doctor  snorted. 

"  Who  are  you,  sir  ?  " 

"  A  friend  of  the  Earl  of  Marlborough.  By  your 
leave,  a  word  with  you  in  the  hall."  He  passed  the 
doctor  and  threw  the  door  open  to  its  fullest  width.  Sir 
John's  red  face  became  purple,  and  his  eyes,  which 
were  small,  ferrety,  and  sunken,  gleamed  spitefully. 

"  Presently,  presently,"  he  replied ;  "  but  you  must 
wait,  sir,  until  I  have  done  my  business  here."  And 
he  turned  to  the  bed.  But  Hugh,  leaving  the  door 
open,  quietly  interposed  himself  between  the  doctor 
and  his  patient. 

"  Your  business  here  has  ended,  Sir  John.  I  speak 
in  my  Lord  Marlborough's  name.  I  will  explain  out- 
side." 

Hugh's  voice  was  quite  under  control,  but  Isabel 
saw  in  his  eyes  the  look  she  remembered  long  ago  on 
a  certain  morning  in  the  ten-acre  field,  and  she  held 
her  breath.  A  feverish  joy  filled  her  heart,  and  her 
eyes  sparkled.  As  for  Dr.  Horniman,  he  could  hard- 
ly believe  his  ears.  He,  the  leading  doctor  in  Hert- 
fordshire, to  be  bearded  on  his  own  ground,  and 
summarily  told  to  cease  from  his  attendance  upon  a 
patient — especially  a  patient  who,  by  judicious  manip- 
ulation, would  yield  him  a  hundred  pounds  in  fees,  un- 
less it  died  too  soon,  and  of  that  the  doctor  was  not 
much  afraid — and  by  a  youth !  The  act  was  monstrous 
— ridiculous. 

"  Zounds,  young  fellow,"  he  snorted.  "  Your  im- 
pudence passes  belief.  What !  At  your  bidding  I  am 

316 


The  King's  Agent 

to  forsake  this  poor  child  lying  at  the  point  of  death, 
and  with  my  lady's  gracious  letter  in  my  pocket.  My 
lord  himself  should  not  dismiss  me.  Besides,  this  is 
a  conspiracy ;  I  see  young  madam  smiling.  'Odds  my 
life,  you  coxcomb,  begone,  or  I  shall  do  you  a  mis- 
chief. By  Gad,  I  will  kick  you  downstairs !  " 

His  words  came  in  explosive  jerks,  and,  raising  his 
cane,  he  shook  it  threateningly  at  Hugh.  The  next  in- 
stant it  was  flying  through  the  open  door,  and  before 
its  owner  could  gather  breath  for  an  oath,  much  less 
resist,  he  found  himself  seized  firmly  by  collar  and 
wristband,  and  with  irresistible  force  expelled  into  the 
passage,  and  the  door  closed  behind  him.  Hugh  now 
released  him  and  bowed  with  grim  politeness. 

"  Your  coach,  Sir  John,"  he  said,  "  is  waiting  at  the 
door." 

"  A  plague  on  you,  villain !  "  bawled  the  infuriated 
physician.  "  Your  life  shall  answer  for  this  outrage — 
your  life ! " 

"  It  is  at  your  service  now."  And  Hugh  laid  his 
hand  on  his  sword  with  a  bland  smile.  Sir  John  Horni- 
man  fell  back  helplessly  against  the  banisters. 

"  Murder !  "  he  gasped.    "  Help !  " 

Hugh  pointed  to  the  door. 

"  Silence !  "  he  thundered.  "  Down  those  stairs !  " 
He  advanced  a  step  with  raised  hand  as  he  spoke, 
but  the  doctor  did  not  wait  for  him.  With  an  agility 
admirable  to  behold  in  one  so  corpulent,  he  obeyed 
without  a  word,  whipping  down  two  stairs  at  a  time, 
and,  snatching  his  cane  from  Biggs,  who  handed  it  to 
him  with  a  profound  bow,  he  fled  as  fast  as  his  feet 
would  carry  him  to  the  coach.  Once  safely  there  he 
thrust  his  head  out  and  showed  his  teeth. 

"  Your  name,  villain !  "  he  bawled. 

"  Hugh  Montgomery,  late  of  his  Majesty's  Fusi- 

317 


The  King's  Agent 

leers.  My  friend  shall  call  at  once.  Let  us  say  in  two 
hours'  time,  as  I  leave  for  town  to-night.  Will  you 
name  the  weapons  now  ?  " 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  suavity  of  Hugh's  man- 
ner. He  had  not  been  associated  with  Karl  Brownker 
for  nothing.  The  doctor  paled  to  the  lips. 

"  I  will  have  the  law,  the  protection  of  the  law, 
against  you ;  your  fellow  shall  be  locked  up." 

"  Nay,  then,  take  courage,  doctor,"  Hugh  replied, 
raising  his  voice  so  that  every  one  of  the  crowd  of 
grinning  servants,  now  assembled  round  about,  should 
hear  him.  "  He  shall  not  trouble  you.  But  listen, 
please  you,  to  this:  If  your  patient  dies — which  God 
forbid — you  shall  be  hanged  for  slow  murder  though 
it  cost  me  fifty  thousand  pounds.  And  take  notice  that 
if  you  show  your  face  within  these  gates  again,  the 
men  have  orders  to  loose  all  the  dogs,  and  whip  you 
into  town.  I  am  your  servant,  Sir  John  Horniman !  " 

He  made  a  sign  to  the  coachman,  who,  not  at  all 
liking  the  look  of  affairs,  whipped  up  his  horses  with- 
out waiting  for  orders,  and  dashed  down  the  drive  amid 
a  universal  howl  of  derision  from  the  delighted  gar- 
deners and  grooms. 

Hugh  had  a  very  short  time  to  stay  at  Hollywell 
after  the  departure  of  Sir  John  Horniman,  and  no  op- 
portunity at  all  to  say  what  he  had  intended  to  say 
when  he  left  London.  Scarcely  had  he  returned  to  the 
sick-room  and  helped  to  quiet  Charley,  who  was  so 
much  excited  at  the  discomfiture  of  his  enemy  that 
he  was  in  high  fever,  than  Dr.  Burtnup  was  announced, 
and  all  was  tension  and  anxiety.  The  little  doctor's 
diagnosis  was  soon  over.  He  pronounced  Charley  to 
be  at  the  crisis  of  his  malady,  and  though  he  thought 
little  of  the  fever  in  itself,  the  lack  of  stamina  induced 
by  wrong  treatment  formed  a  serious  danger,  for  the 


The  King's  Agent 

loss  of  blood  had  lowered  the  vitality  almost  to  van- 
ishing point.  He  gave  his  orders  with  his  usual  de- 
cision, orders  Isabel  had  to  carry  out.  When  she  had 
left  the  room,  Burtnup  nodded  at  Hugh. 

"  If  he  lives  you've  saved  him.  That  man  would 
kill  an  ox." 

"  It  will  be  the  last  patient  he  will  ever  kill,"  Hugh 
said  between  his  teeth. 

"  Bah !  "  cried  Burtnup  with  a  comical  face.  "  You 
are  inhuman.  It  is  the  way  such  men  as  Horniman 
exist — and  a  practitioner  must  live.  But  you  have  no 
professional  instinct ;  you  are  a  soldier  and  kill  to  or- 
der. Now  be  off  with  ye.  Nay,  you  may  rest  content. 
I  will  save  him  if  it  is  only  to  preserve  Horniman — in 
pickle — as  an  ornament  to  my  profession,  on  a  shelf. 
Go,  and  don't  come  here  again.  This  boy,  if  he  is  to 
live  the  night,  must  forget  he  ever  saw  you !  " 

Hugh  obeyed  and  ordered  his  horse,  then  sent  for 
Isabel  with  a  curious  sinking  of  the  heart.  When 
would  they  meet  again,  and  what  might  happen  in 
between?  He  had  saved  the  son,  they  said,  but  if 
the  father  died  ? 

Isabel  came  soon  from  the  kitchen,  her  face  ex- 
tremely flushed.  There  was  a  change  in  her  manner, 
too — a  nervousness,  a  reserve,  slight  and  indefin- 
able, but  felt  at  once  by  Hugh.  In  her  hand  was  a 
letter. 

"  Pray  give  this,  or  have  it  conveyed  to  my  lord," 
she  said  hurriedly.  "  He  must  have  it.  Else,  if  any- 
thing should  happen,  he  would  break  his  heart.  Be- 
sides, whatever  her  ladyship  may  think  and  say,  he,  at 
least,  shall  know  the  truth." 

Hugh  took  the  letter,  and  then  such  a  dryness  came 
into  his  throat  he  could  scarcely  speak. 

"  Good-bye  to  you." 

319 


The  King's  Agent 

He  took  her  hand,  and  felt  it  tremble  in  his  grasp, 
yet  her  face  looked  cold  and  white. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you,"  she  began,  then  paused.  Her 
voice  was  unsteady  too.  "  I  can  in  no  way  thank  you 
now  for  this." 

A  light  broke  on  him,  and  he  smiled.  "  Not  now," 
he  said  softly.  "  No,  but  next  time,  Isabel — next 
time." 

"  Yes." 

"  God  keep  you,  dear." 

Her  hand  was  still  in  his.    He  raised  it  to  his  lips. 

"  God  keep  you,  Hugh."  Her  eyes  had  drooped, 
but  when  he  let  go  her  hand  she  looked  up  into  his 
face. 

"  You  will  not  be  away  too  long  ?  " 

"  I  must  see  the  King." 

"  Ah."  He  heard  her  sigh.  "  I  forgot.  You  have 
to  cross  the  sea.  But  it  is  to  save  his  life." 

"  Please  God  I  do  it,"  Hugh  muttered. 

"  You  will,"  she  said  brightly,  "  or  there  is  no  one 
in  the  world  who  will." 

And  with  these  words  echoing  in  his  ears,  he  rode 
back  to  town. 


320 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

IN  a  room  with  many  corners,  narrow  windows, 
and  scant  furniture  of  the  simplest  kind,  sat  the  Earl 
of  Marlborough  writing  letters.  He  was  sitting  at  a 
table,  on  which  lay  a  little  pile  of  sealed  envelopes  di- 
rected to  ministers,  noblemen,  and  members  of  the 
House  of  Commons — to  every  one,  in  fact,  who  might 
raise  a  hand  to  help  him,  or  use  influence  on  his  behalf. 
He  had  written  swiftly,  easily,  as  a  merchant  writes 
letters  of  business  or  a  modern  editor  his  daily  "  lead- 
er." Composition  of  this  kind,  though  he  hated  all 
writing,  was  little  effort  to  Marlborough.  Some  men 
might  have  found  it  a  difficult  business  to  explain  or 
excuse,  much  more  to  justify  the  circumstances  of  his 
capture  and  all  that  he  knew  could  be  brought  against 
him. 

But  Marlborough  knew  his  men.  He  was  appeal- 
ing to  friends  and  enemies  alike — he  wrote  to  more 
than  one  enemy — to  the  motives  which  without  excep- 
tion ruled  the  statesmen  of  his  time — self-interest, 
pride  of  place,  greed,  and  most  of  all,  fear.  To  the 
Queen  alone  did  Marlborough  trouble  himself  to  give 
specific  denial  and  explanations.  The  Queen  and  her 
husband  were  the  only  people  whom  he  conceived 
would  have  a  personal  interest  in  his  destruction.  Her 
ministers — even  those  who  hated  him,  such  as  Notting- 
ham and  Sydney — with  James  possibly  on  his  way  to 
England  and  William  far  away,  must  hesitate  before 

321 


The  King's  Agent 

proceeding  to  extremities,  unless  a  popular  tumult 
forced  their  hands;  and  even  a  popular  tumult  might 
be  kept  in  check  by  men  who  felt  that  their  own  safety 
required  it.  So  he  wrote  on  calmly  and  confidently. 

A  time  came,  however,  when  his  pen  faltered — 
when  he  would  write  a  word  only  to  erase  it — a  sen- 
tence and  destroy  the  sheet — when,  in  short,  he  was 
writing  to  his  wife.  This  hesitation  came  from  no 
guilty  feeling  touching  his  own  conduct.  His  atten- 
tions to  Marie  Montgomery  had  been  paid  for  a  pur- 
pose that  had  no  tinge  of  passion  in  it.  He  had  used 
her  as  he  would  use  a  horse  in  battle.  While  she  could 
help  him  on  his  way  he  treated  her  kindly,  but  when 
she  failed  he  dropped  the  reins  and  went  his  way,  and 
had  forgot  even  her  existence ;  but  that  he  knew  Sarah 
would  not  forget,  and  should  evil  tongues  bear  exag- 
gerated accounts  of  what  had  really  passed,  would  not 
forgive. 

This  fear  troubled  him  more  than  all  the  rest — 
more  than  dread  of  what  the  King  might  know  or  what 
the  Queen  might  do.  Dearer  than  life  itself  was  his 
wife's  love  and  confidence,  and  no  one  knew  better 
than  himself  how  hard  it  had  been  to  keep,  nor,  once 
stricken,  how  impossible  it  would  be  to  bring  it  back 
to  life  again. 

The  creak  and  scrape  of  bolts  and  the  opening  of  a 
heavy  door.  He  was  to  have  a  visitor.  At  the  sound 
Marlborough  thrust  the  half-written  letter  away  and 
rose,  calm  and  self-controlled,  to  meet  Karl  Brownker. 

A  civil  greeting  passed  between  them.  Karl's  man- 
ner was  deferential,  Marlborough's  the  pink  of  cour- 
tesy. 

"  Nay,  I  thank  you,"  Marlborough  said  in  answer 
to  an  inquiry  after  his  comfort.  "  I  have  wanted  noth- 
ing but  society,  and  now  I  have  the  best." 

322 


The  King's  Agent 

He  took  out  his  snuff-box  and  politely  offered  it 
to  Brownker,  who,  bowing,  took  a  pinch.  Then,  as 
the  jailer  who  had  ushered  him  in  departed,  his  man- 
ner changed. 

"  My  lord,"  he  said  curtly,  "  we  know  each  other." 

"  Indeed,"  Marlborough  replied,  taking  snuff  him- 
self, and  with  smiling  eyes  noting  that  Brownker's  hand 
was  shaking,  "  we  have  been  acquainted  a  long  while, 
but  you  have  some  business  " — and  now  his  tone  was 
as  curt  as  his  visitor's.  "  Let  me  hear  it." 

Brownker  crossed  the  room  and  looked  out  of  the 
window,  went  to  the  door  as  if  to  listen,  and  then, 
coming  slowly  back,  leaned  easily  against  the  table. 
He  was,  in  truth,  very  nervous.  After  this  breathing 
space,  however,  his  hand  was  steady,  his  voice  clear 
and  hard.  By  his  eyes  alone— bright,  intense — could 
Marlborough  tell  that  a  matter  was  to  be  discussed  as 
important  to  his  visitor  as  to  himself. 

"  My  business,  my  lord,"  Karl  said,  "  is  a  grate- 
ful one.  I  have  come  to  see  whether  it  is  possible 
to  clear  your  lordship's  honour,  and  to  save  your 
life." 

Marlborough  closed  his  snuff-box  with  a  snap,  and 
dropped  it  into  his  pocket. 

"  My  honour,  sir,  is  in  no  danger,  and  my  life  is 
in  God's  hands." 

"  None  the  less,  my  lord,  it  is  hanging  by  a  hair." 

"  That  I  cannot  tell." 

"  Your  enemies  are  triumphant,  your  friends  in  de- 
spair." 

"  I  have  not  seen  my  friends." 

"A  bad  sign,  for  you  have  been  here  four-and- 
twenty  hours,  and  my  Lord  of  Tottenham  is  a  friend  of 
my  Lords  Nottingham  and  Sydney." 

Marlborough  shrugged  his  shoulders. 
323 


The  King's  Agent 

"  I  have  entire  confidence  in  the  Earl  of  Totten- 
ham." 

"  A  pardon,  my  lord,"  Brownker  interposed,  "  but 
has  the  earl  confidence  in  your  lordship?  I  mean  no 
insult." 

Marlborough  bowed  indifferently.  His  face,  which 
had  hitherto  worn  an  amused  expression,  now  became 
cold  and  impassive,  and  the  lips  set  into  that  immov- 
able curve  behind  which  might  rage  every  passion 
known  to  man,  but  which  would  not  betray  one. 

"  You  will  be  good  enough,  perhaps,  to  explain 
your  meaning." 

"  In  fewest  words.  I  am  on  my  way  to  see  the 
Queen,  my  lord,  and  shall  be  closely  questioned  by 
the  ladies  of  the  court,  one  of  whom  is  a  friend  of  the 
Countess  of  Marlborough.  She  will  repeat,  with  due 
embellishments — it  is  her  nature — every  word  I  choose 
to  say.  If  I  tell  the  truth,  this  will  place  your  lord- 
ship's reputation  in  great  peril.  Then  touching  the 
other  point — your  life.  The  Association  to  destroy  the 
Queen  and  signed  by  you  is  now  in  the  hands  of  your 
bitterest  enemies.  If  proven  in  any  colourable  way  to 
be  your  work,  attainder  must  follow.  I  trust  I  do  not 
weary  you." 

He  paused,  waiting  as  a  cat  waits  for  a  mouse  to 
move  under  its  paw.  But  the  mouse  made  no  move- 
ment. 

"  Nay,"  Marlborough  said.  "  I  have  a  liking  for 
a  tale  when  the  story-teller  has  so  much  imagination. 
Pray  proceed." 

"  Your  lordship,"  Mr.  Brownker  continued,  smil- 
ing, "  well  appreciates  the  position,  I  can  see.  It  is  an 
unhappy  one,  for  Mistress  Montgomery  is  notorious, 
and  the  noblemen  and  my  lord  the  bishop  whose  names 
are  attached  with  yours  to  this  Association  are  all 

324 


The  King's  Agent 

marked  men.  I  fear,  indeed,  that  your  condition  is 
almost  past  a  remedy.  If  you  think  me  wrong,  correct 
me.  I  am  here  to  tell  the  truth ;  I  do  not  wish  by  a 
word  to  give  you  causeless  pain." 

His  voice  became  low  and  gentle  now,  and  he 
waited  with  an  air  of  respectful  sympathy  for  Marlbor- 
ough's  reply. 

"  Sir,"  the  earl  answered  bitingly,  "  though  your 
mouth  were  stuffed  with  lies  I  could  prove  none  any 
more  than  a  man  bound  by  the  arms  can  return  a  fen- 
cer's thrust.  To  the  purpose,  please  you,  that  lies 
behind  this.  Suppose  all  you  have  said  is  truth, 
what  then?  What  though — on  words  wrung  from  a 
poor  soul  ruined  long  ago  by  you,  and  a  forged  letter 
written  by  another  of  your  creatures — I  am  to  be 
crushed — what  then  ?  " 

"  But  this :  I  would  ascertain  if  you  are  disposed  to 
pay  for  honour,  liberty,  and  life  a  ransom  which  will 
cost  you  nothing." 

"  Name  the  ransom,  though  I  guess  it." 

"  Such  help  and  countenance,  my  lord,  as  will  gain 
for  me  Isabel  Fretchville  in  marriage."  He  spoke 
simply  now,  and  with  an  earnestness  of  tone  that  ar- 
rested his  listener's  attention. 

But  Marlborough  did  not  show  it.  He  only  leaned 
back  in  his  chair  with  a  sceptical  smile. 

"  Marriage !  It  is  marvellous  that  you  should  try 
so  obvious  a  bite  on  me." 

"  If  your  lordship  doubts  my  intentions " 

"A  pardon.  Mr.  Karl  Brownker's  intentions  to- 
wards those  ladies  whom  he  favours  with  his  admira- 
tion are  beyond  all  doubt." 

Karl  bowed  gravely. 

"  A  natural  retort,  my  lord.  But  for  once  you  are 
mistaken." 


The  King's  Agent 

The  scepticism  in  Marlborough's  face  deepened, 
but  his  eyes  became  alert  and  watchful.  He  tapped 
his  teeth  with  his  snuff-box. 

"  Let  us  call  it  marriage  then,"  he  said  lightly. 
"  There  are  indeed  times  when  that  ceremony  is  a  con- 
venience." 

Brownker  bit  his  lip  till  the  blood  came.  For  the 
first  time  in  his  life  he  found  himself  losing  his  temper 
in  a  fencing  match  of  words.  For  the  first  time  his  self- 
control,  hitherto  as  invulnerable  as  Marlborough's,  be- 
gan to  weaken.  A  dark  flush  now  overspread  his  face, 
and  though  he  held  himself  in  with  iron  self-restraint, 
he  showed  Marlborough  what  was  passing  in  his  mind 
as  clearly  as  if  he  had  been  Hugh  himself. 

"  I  do  not  look  on  marriage  in  this  light,  my  lord," 
he  said,  "  else  I  had  been  married  when  a  younger 
man.  You  need  not  smile;  I  claim  no  virtue  for  it. 
My  life  has  been  without  a  scruple — not  unlike  your 
own,  my  lord,  before  the  countess  won  you  from  your- 
self and  made  you  what  you  are." 

It  was  a  chance  thrust  this — the  inspiration  of  a 
desperate  man.  But  no  sooner  had  it  passed  Brown- 
ker's  lips  than  he  saw  it  had  taken  effect. 

Marlborough's  face  was  white  as  death,  beads  of 
perspiration  stood  upon  his  brow,  and  his  voice  be- 
came hoarse  with  passion. 

"  Have  done,"  he  panted ;  "  you  touch  on  danger- 
ous ground." 

"  But  ground  common  to  us  both,"  Brownker  re- 
joined quickly.  "  I  swear  upon  my  honour  that  I 
have  no  more  doubt  of  your  fidelity  to  her  ladyship 
than  you  need  have  in  my  loyalty  to  Isabel.  And 
therein  lies  the  point.  Most  people  deny  that  mar- 
riage can  reform.  You  have  proved  the  contrary.  I 
speak  in  all  humility — but  why  should  not  I  ?  As  God 

326 


The  King's  Agent 

is  my  witness,  it  is  my  determination  that  if  Isabel  be- 
comes my  wife  I  will  never  cast  a  glance  again  at  any 
other  woman." 

Brownker  was  leaning  forward  and  his  hand  trem- 
bled, but  it  was  not  through  nervousness  this  time. 
Marlborough  watched  him  fixedly.  His  face  was  calm 
again. 

"  You  have  not  been  to  Hollywell  of  late,"  he  said. 

"  It  would  be  useless  without  your  lordship's  coun- 
tenance." 

"  You  know,  then,  that  she  has  no  tenderness  for 
you?" 

"  A  friendship " 

"  Pish !  She  is  in  love — devotedly  and  deeply — 
with  another  man." 

Brownker  smiled  as  a  man  under  torture  smiles  at 
his  executioner. 

"  I  knew  that,  my  lord,  two  months  ago." 

"  Two  months  ?  "  said  Marlborough  reflectively. 
"  Two  months  ago  you  tried  to  persuade  me  to  sail  for 
France." 

"  Your  lordship's  memory  is  exact." 

"  And,  since  an  '  Association  '  has  been  discovered 
by  you  with  my  signature,  and  I  have  been  asked  to  go 
to  France  again." 

"  The  interest  of  another  person  lay  in  that  course." 

"  The  hand  behind  was  yours.  And  now  you  have 
me  in  the  Tower." 

"  Only  at  your  lordship's  pleasure." 

"  Or  your  own — which  ?  " 

Brownker  smiled.  He  was  cool  again,  and  there- 
fore dangerous. 

"  I  have  been  concerned  to  cause  your  lordship  so 
much  inconvenience,"  he  said.  "  But  no  stake  less 
heavy  than  your  life  will  win  me  Isabel." 

327 


The  King's  Agent 

"  And  if  that  fails  to  win  her?  " 

"  It  is  my  risk,  not  your  lordship's.  Within  two 
weeks,  whether  I  marry  her  or  no,  if  you  will  grant 
me  the  boon  I  seek,  you  shall  leave  this  place  without  a 
stain  upon  your  reputation.  William  shall  be  your 
friend,  your  family  receive  you  back  with  open  arms, 
and  the  country  acclaim  you  as  a  man  unjustly  treated 
by  some  cowardly  rival.  My  lord  " — he  was  all  anima- 
tion now — "  I  go  further.  Should  I  succeed,  there  is 
no  service  you  can  ask  that  I  would  not  render  you. 
The  King  is  pleased  to  give  me  his  confidence.  There 
is  no  reason  why,  with  time,  you  should  not  soon  re- 
turn to  favour.  I  have  no  love  for  Dutchmen,  least  of 
all  Dutch  soldiers.  I  would  see  you  in  your  rightful 
place  as  commander-in-chief,  when  as  husband  of  your 
ward  I  shall  be  your  friend  and  servant  for  my  life." 

He  folded  his  arms  tightly  at  the  end  and  waited  for 
Marlborough  to  speak. 

With  one  elbow  resting  on  the  table  and  his  chin 
upon  his  hand,  his  legs  crossed  easily,  his  eyes  on  the 
ground,  Marlborough  considered  his  reply.  The  con- 
trast between  the  men  was  striking  enough.  Brown- 
ker,  though  perfectly  still,  was  like  a  steel  spring  bent 
almost  to  breaking  point ;  Marlborough,  steel  of  a 
temper  which  seemed  to  feel  no  strain.  At  last,  un- 
crossing his  legs  and  leaning  back  in  his  chair,  he  said 
in  the  quietest  of  tones : 

"  This  boon,  now ;  describe  it  in  particular  terms." 

"  A  letter  from  your  lordship  to  Isabel.  You  will 
tell  her  that  your  position  is  desperate ;  that  you  find 
I  alone  can  extricate  you.  You  will  entreat  her  as 
she  loves  you,  the  countess,  and  your  children,  to 
use  any  influence  she  has  with  me,  so  that  I  may 
save  your  life  and  your  family  from  utter  ruin.  That 
is  all,  my  lord.  Yet,  stay ;  I  had  forgot."  He  cleared 

328 


The  King's  Agent 

his  throat,  paused,  and  then  went  on  in  a  harder  tone. 
"  It  will  be  necessary  you  should  add  that  Hugh  Mont- 
gomery has  turned  against  you.  You  must  mention 
the  trap  laid  by  him  for  your  undoing:  how  that  he 
knew  of  the  plot  against  you,  but  gave  no  warning, 
and  that  because  of  this  you  forbid  him  ever  to  go  into 
your  house  again." 

Marlborough  gave  an  exclamation  of  disgust. 

"  You  would  have  me  ruin  the  chances  of  an  hon- 
est man  by  a  pack  of  lies." 

"  These  are  no  lies,"  Brownker  answered  calmly. 
"  Recall  the  night  before  you  were  brought  here,  when 
you  met  him  at  Lord  Tottenham's ;  did  you  not  see  that 
he  had  turned  against  you  ?  " 

He  paused  as  if  for  reply,  but  Marlborough  said 
nothing.  "  Further,  you  saw  him,  I  think,  at  the  Ab- 
bey House  waiting  for  you  and  his  fair  cousin  with  his 
sword  drawn." 

He  stopped  again,  but  still  Marlborough  did  not 
speak. 

"  Lastly,  my  lord,  though  indeed  it  is  a  pain  to  me 
to  say  it " — he  cleared  his  throat  a  second  time,  and 
Marlborough,  flashing  a  look  at  him,  saw  that  his  face 
was  pale  and  his  lips  twitching  strangely — "  and  last,  I 
say,  when  after  her  ladyship  had  questioned  him  about 
you,  she  fell  into  such  a  passion  that  they  feared  for 
her  reason.  Since  then  she  has  been  very  sick." 

He  said  these  words  very  slowly,  dropping  them 
one  by  one,  as  a  careful  marksman  drops  his  shot — 
to  kill.  Then  he  paused,  and  waited.  He  had  done 
his  worst.  Suddenly  he  sprang  forward.  "  My  lord, 
you  are  ill." 

The  figure  in  the  chair  had  swayed  to  one  side  and 
would  have  fallen  if  Brownker  had  not  caught  it  in  his 
arms. 

329 


The  King's  Agent 

"  A  little  water,"  was  the  faint  answer.  "  I  am  sub- 
ject to  a  giddiness  at  times  from  a  fever  I  had  once. 
I  thank  you." 

There  was  water  on  the  table  and  Brownker  put  it 
to  Marlborough's  lips,  sprinkled  some  on  His  fore- 
head, and  loosened  his  cravat. 

All  was  over  in  a  moment,  and  in  a  minute  or  two 
Marlborough  was  courteously  thanking  his  visitor, 
standing  firmly  on  his  feet,  and  refolding  his  neck- 
cloth. 

"  Now,  sir,"  he  said  in  a  quiet,  business-like  tone, 
"  to  the  matter  in  hand." 

He  sat  down,  took  up  a  pen,  and  without  hesita- 
tion began  to  write. 

Brownker  went  to  the  window.  A  curious  feeling 
of  oppression  had  seized  him  also.  The  room  seemed 
stifling.  He  longed  to  be  outside.  The  window  faced 
south-westward ;  below  it  ran  the  river,  covered  with 
busy  life ;  beyond  this  the  bank  with  wharves,  and  here 
and  there  scattered  houses ;  near  these  were  gardens 
and  beyond  green  fields  and  the  spire  of  a  country 
church  under  the  light  of  a  sun  drawing  near  its  set- 
ting. 

Brownker's  face  softened  as  he  gazed,  and  the  op- 
pression passed  away.  If  he  succeeded,  and  of  this  he 
had  small  doubt  now,  there  would  be  happiness  and 
peace  for  him — a  new  life — and  success  for  those  she 
loved.  Yet  there  was  Hugh!  A  pang — a  sharp, 
strong  pain  tugged  at  his  heart.  But,  after  all,  Hugh 
was  young  and  rich  ;  he  would  soon  forget.  Pooh !  did 
he  not  owe  his  very  life  to  the  strength  of  this  love 
which  only  claimed  its  own? 

The  pen  stopped  scratching,  and  Brownker's 
thoughts  flew  back  to  the  act  of  the  moment. 

"  Read  it,"  Marlborough  said  laconically. 
330 


The  King's  Agent     ' 

Brownker  read,  and  his  face  brightened. 

"  I  cannot  be  too  grateful,  my  lord ;  you  have  only 
to  give  me  your  commands." 

"  You  go  at  once  to  Hollywell  ?  " 

"  When  I  have  lodged  a  statement  with  Lord  Syd- 
ney which  will  admit  all  your  friends — and  the  first 
her  ladyship." 

A  knock  came  at  the  door  and  the  jailer  thrust  in 
his  head  and  hand. 

"  A  letter  for  my  lord." 

Brownker  went  quickly  forward  and  took  it  from 
the  man,  closely  studying  the  seal. 

"From  the  Secretary — any  answer  wanted?" 

"  None,  sir." 

"  Then  retire.  His  lordship  has  the  letter,"  and 
Brownker  handed  it  to  Marlborough. 

"  Your  pardon,  my  lord,"  he  said  as  the  jailer  dis- 
appeared, "  but  I  have  to  keep  up  an  appearance  of 
suspicion." 

He  was  about  to  take  up  the  note  to  Isabel  when 
Marlborough  laid  his  hand  on  it. 

"  I  have  not  signed  it  yet." 

Brownker  bit  his  lip. 

"  I  am  in  some  haste,  my  lord,  therefore " 

But  he  saw  Marlborough  was  not  listening.  He 
had  torn  open  the  cover  of  his  letter  with  the  Secre- 
tary's official  seal  upon  it,  and  opened  a  letter  in- 
side, inclosed  in  an  envelope  which  had  not  an  official 
seal.  Brownker  had  good  eyes,  and,  approaching  a 
little  nearer,  he  recognised  the  handwriting  to  be 
Isabel's. 

Marlborough  read  the  letter  swiftly,  and  Brownker, 
watching  his  eyes,  saw  the  tears  gather  there. 

"  Bad  news,  my  lord,  from  Hollywell  ?  " 

"  My  boy,"  Marlborough  said  tremulously,  "  the 

22  331 


The  King's  Agent 

youngest,  Charley.    Sick — nigh  to  death,  and  a  damned 
doctor.    Thank  God !  " 

He  had  forgotten  his  companion  for  the  moment. 
His  mind,  his  whole  soul  was  far  away  at  home.  He 
saw  the  little  wistful  face,  as  Isabel  described  it;  he 
heard  the  longing  cry  of  "  Daddie,"  which  could  never 
find  response.  Her  account,  short  but  pungent,  of  Sir 
John  Horniman,  made  him,  cool  soldier  though  he 
was,  gasp  with  blind  rage.  Then  the  story  of  Hugh's 
coming,  told  briefly  too,  but  with  all  the  eloquence 
and  force  a  woman's  pen  could  give — this  almost  un- 
manned him. 

"  Thank  God !  "  he  cried  again.  "  And  under  him, 
Montgomery.  He  has  saved  the  baby's  life.  God 
bless  him ! " 

He  paused,  for  his  eyes  rested  upon  Brownker's 
face,  and  noted  that  it  grew  pinched  of  a  sudden,  hag- 
gard, shrunken. 

"  This  letter  of  mine,"  Marlborough  said,  all  his 
old  coolness  returned  to  him,  and  not  a  trace  of  emo- 
tion visible  now  in  face  or  manner,  "  which  I  have  not 
signed,  I  will,  with  your  permission,  read  again." 

He  read  it  very  slowly,  while  the  room  was  still, 
and  outside  the  sun  set  in  a  bank  of  clouds  and  a  dark- 
ening sky. 

When  Marlborough  stopped  reading  and  looked 
up  Brownker  leaned  forward. 

"  Here  is  the  pen,  my  lord." 

They  looked  at  one  another,  and  Marlborough  laid 
the  pen  on  the  table  and  smiled. 

"  I  thank  you,  but,  as  it  happens,  circumstances 
have  changed,  and  this  letter  is  waste  paper." 

Still  smiling  he  tore  it  in  half,  and  then  across 
again,  and  then  screwing  it  into  a  ball,  tossed  it  out 
of  the  window  into  the  river  below. 

332 


The  King's  Agent 

All  this  time  Brownker  stood  motionless,  out- 
wardly unmoved.  When  Marlborough  returned  from 
the  window,  he  said  in  a  cold,  indifferent  tone : 

"  These  circumstances  have  changed  your  lord- 
ship's mind  ?  " 

"  I  know  my  mind,  once  and  for  all." 

Brownker  bowed,  reached  over  the  table,  and 
pouring  himself  out  a  little  water  drank  it  slowly. 

"  I  should  like  to  say  one  word,  my  lord " 

Marlborough  made  a  polite  but  emphatic  gesture 
of  dissent. 

"  No,"  he  said  quietly.  "  Do  not  so  waste  your 
time.  I  would  part  with  you  courteously  if  I  may,  but 
this  Hugh  Montgomery  is  my  friend." 

Brownker  winced  as  if  he  had  received  a  rapier- 
thrust  beneath  the  heart,  and  without  a  word  moved 
to  the  door,  or  rather  stumbled  thither.  But  when  his 
hand  was  on  the  lock  he  seemed  to  recover  himself. 

"  I  wish  your  lordship  well,"  he  said  in  a  low  voice. 
"  An  order  of  admission  shall  presently  be  placed  at 
the  disposal  of  the  countess,  if  she  will  use  it.  But  I 
fear,  I  am  very  much  inclined  to  think,  that  she  will 
tear  it  up." 

The  door  swung  back  and  he  went  out.  Marlbor- 
ough was  alone. 

The  sun  had  set,  and  the  bank  of  clouds  gathered 
ominously  upon  the  horizon  line,  but  the  rest  of  the 
sky  was  clear,  and  there  was  a  lurid  afterglow  above  the 
clouds  which  penetrated  the  narrow  window  of  the  cell 
and  shone  upon  the  figure  of  a  man  kneeling  in  prayer, 
his  face  buried  in  his  hands. 


333 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 

AGAIN  came  the  clatter  of  bolts  and  bars,  but  this 
time  the  door  opened  to  admit  the  burly  figure  of 
Lord  Tottenham.  He  caught  Marlborough  by  both 
hands. 

"  Gad's  life,  Jack,  I  have  had  a  chase  after  ye — first 
this  Secretary,  then  that  Secretary,  then  the  Council, 
and  at  last  the  Queen.  But  from  her,  God  bless  her 
good  kind  heart,  I  got  the  permit  that  has  brought  me 
here.  If  you  are  glad  to  see  me,  man,  lay  it  to  the 
credit  of  the  Queen." 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Ned." 

"  But — damme,"  Lord  Tottenham  cried,  turning 
Marlborough  to  the  light,  "  you  are  peaked,  Jack. 
Why  don't  they  bring  a  light  ?  You  are  a  ghost — faith ! 
'Oddzooks,  man,  we'll  storm  the  Tower;  we'll  burn 
London.  Gad!  we'll  get  James  over,  if  nothing  less 
will  do,  before  they  shall  crush  you;  and  harkee!  I 
have  news." 

He  sat  himself  down  in  a  chair,  which  mournfully 
creaked  under  the  weight  of  him.  "  A  deposition, 
signed  and  sworn  to — to  which  a  dozen  witnesses  can 
testify — has  been  made  to  me,  which  will  prove  that 
black  devil  Brownker  to  be  the  engineer  of  the  whole 
business,  for  some  purpose  of  his  own.  What  think 
you  of  that,  my  lord  ?  " 

Marlborough  smiled  wanly.  It  was  as  well  that 
the  light  was  dim,  else  Lord  Tottenham  would  have 

334 


The  King's  Agent 

been  shocked  at  the  ghastly  pallor  of  his  old  friend's 
face. 

"  Good,  Ned.  But  who  is  mad  enough  to  cross 
swords  with  the  King's  Agent  for  me?" 

Lord  Tottenham  chuckled  again.  He  could  not 
help  it  for  the  life  of  him,  though  at  heart  he  was 
sad  enough. 

"  Why,  't  is  a  woman,  Jack ;  who  but  a  woman  ? 
Need  I  say  more  ?  " 

There  was  a  short  silence.  Marlborough  had 
made  no  answer,  but  sat  still,  his  back  to  the  win- 
dow, his  face  invisible.  Lord  Tottenham  soon 
found  this  too  much  for  his  nerves,  and  burst  into 
a  laugh. 

"  Gad's  my  life,  Jack,  but  you  should  have  seen 
my  boy's  face  when  he  met  me  in  the  hall,  with  the 
pretty  baggage  there  in  his  rooms,  alone.  I  could 
write  a  play  on  it — The  Puritan  Discovered,  or  some 
such  thing.  She  had  just  run  in,  pretending  she  was 
chased,  and  I,  all  unknowing,  knocked  briskly  at  the 
door.  On  which  Hugh,  ablaze  with  chivalry,  receives 
me  at  the  point  of  sword.  Then,  when  I  go  in,  tells 
me  that  his  cousin  is  a-visiting.  Lord,  I  thought  I 
should  have  killed  myself  with  laughing.  Truth,  we 
all  laughed,  even  the  Puritan  himself  at  last.  But, 
seriously,  it  was  a  most  fortunate  circumstance  for 
you." 

"  These  cousins,"  Marlborough  said  in  a  curt  tone, 
"  bear  much  affection  for  each  other  ?  " 

"  None,"  Lord  Tottenham  replied  shortly ;  "  none 
at  all.  She  came  to  him  perforce.  She  consented  to 
come  forward  as  a  witness  at  my  solicitation,  much 
against  her  will,  while  he,  but  for  my  coming,  would 
have  turned  her  from  his  door." 

"  Then  why  came  she?  " 
335 


The  King's  Agent 

Marlborough  spoke  in  a  tone  of  wondering  indif- 
ference. Lord  Tottenham  flushed. 

"  Why  ?  To  save  your  life.  There's  no  mincing 
matters  here.  She  loves  you,  Jack,  as  only  women 
love — some  men.  Brownker  has  great  power  with 
her.  He  knows  her  whole  history — a  pest  on  him ! — 
he's  had  a  share  in  it.  He  has  terrified  her,  crushed 
her,  held  her  in  a  vice ;  ay,  and  she  fears  him  still,  yet 
will  she  stand  in  public,  give  him  the  lie  before  the 
Lords,  and  have  her  reputation  torn  to  shreds,  to  save 
your  life.  Gad !  I  told  her  you  should  know  it  all,  and 
now  you  do.  Under  God's  providence,  your  gratitude, 
if  you  escape  from  this,  as  please  the  Lord  you  will, 
is  due  to  Marie  Montgomery  the  Jacobite,  and  after 
that  to  my  lad  Hugh." 

"  Tell  me  what  he  has  done." 

"  'Slife,  what  has  he  not  ?  He  has  put  power  in  my 
hands  to  spend  money,  his  own  money,  up  to  twenty 
thousand  pounds.  He  has  gone  to  Holland  to  beard 
William  in  his  den;  and  last — but  not  the  least — he 
dared  to  face  your  wife,  and  in  the  presence  of  the 
Princess  Anne,  to  tell  her  the  news  of  your  arrest." 

A  cold  sweat  broke  over  Marlborough.  He  tried 
to  speak,  but  his  tongue  was  tied.  He  could  not  ask 
the  question  that  was  on  his  lips.  Lord  Tottenham, 
whose  thoughts  ran  in  quite  a  different  channel,  lost 
all  patience  with  him. 

"  Well,  then,  Jack  ?  Well  ?  Curse  it  all,  can  you 
not  find  a  word  for  this  ?  Is  it  so  common,  such  serv- 
ice as  he  gives?  " 

"  I  have  paid  him  for  it  with  my  best." 

Lord  Tottenham  started  and  peered  into  the  dusk 
of  the  prison  cell  to  make  out  his  friend's  face.  For  the 
words  came  hoarsely,  and  were  so  utterly  unlike  any- 
thing he  had  ever  heard  Marlborough  say  in  all  the 

336 


The  King's  Agent 

years  he  had  known  him.  But  the  kindly  gloom  hid 
the  prisoner  completely.  Marlborough  rose  and  took 
his  friend's  hand. 

"  You  must  leave  me,  Ned.  I  am  a-weary  and  my 
brain  is  sick  with  the  shock  of  all  this  trouble.  Come 
to-morrow  and  we  will  lay  our  plans.  Forgive  me  if 
I  seem  ungrateful ;  it  is  not  so.  But  I  am  tired — tired 
out.  Farewell,  old  friend." 

He  had  led  Lord  Tottenham  to  the  door. 

"  You  are  ill,  Jack.    I  hardly  like  to  leave  ye." 

"  I  need  sleep ;  no  more.  To-morrow,  Ned,  as 
early  as  they  will  let  you  in." 

So  he  dismissed  his  friend  and  was  alone — alone  in 
the  gathering  darkness  with  the  ghastly  dread  which 
now  stared  him  in  the  face  as  certainty — the  conviction 
that  his  wife  would  never  take  his  hand  again. 

He  sat  down  heavily  and  rested  his  arms  on  the 
table,  his  head  upon  his  hands.  The  risk  to  life,  the 
political  extinction,  the  personal  disgrace,  all  the  mis- 
fortunes which  he  would  endure  as  a  public  man,  were 
nothing  to  Marlborough  now.  They  were  blotted  out 
from  his  horizon  by  the  agonizing  thought  of  the  bit- 
ter parting  from  his  wife.  They  had  been  so  happy, 
the  trust  between  them  perfect  always.  Until  this 
moment  he  had  not  fully  realized  what  it  would  be  like 
to  be  treated  as  a  stranger  by  her — nay,  as  an  enemy, 
for  Sarah  must  either  love  or  hate.  But  he  realized  it 
now,  and  drank  his  cup  to  the  dregs.  If  Lord  Totten- 
ham, stanch  Ned  Tottenham,  could  say  as  much  of 
Marie,  what  would  the  world  say,  and  Sarah,  always 
sensitive,  why,  she  would  be  goaded  into  madness. 

Lower  and  lower  drooped  his  head  upon  the  table 
which  presently  began  to  shake  from  his  deep  sobs. 

A  little  later  he  grew  calm  and  began  to  pray  again. 
It  was  a  grim  prayer  this  time,  beseeching  God  out  of 

337 


The  King's  Agent 

his  great  mercy  so  to  aid  the  enemy  that  they  might 
bring  him  to  an  execution. 

Death,  and  that  as  soon  as  might  be,  was  all  he 
longed  for  now. 

The  room  grew  darker,  and  still  Marlborough  sat, 
his  head  buried  in  his  hands.  The  door  opened,  but 
he  did  not  hear  it.  Utterly  exhausted,  he  had  fallen 
fast  asleep.  A  jailer  came  in,  placed  a  candle  on  the 
table,  and  stood  aside  from  the  door  to  let  some  one 
enter,  then  went  out  hastily,  closed  and  bolted  it.  The 
person  who  had  entered  stood  still  until  the  bolts  were 
drawn,  then  went  quietly  to  the  table,  and  grasped  the 
prisoner's  arm.  He  woke,  blinked  in  the  light,  and 
then  sat  speechless.  Close  to  him  was  the  face  that  but 
this  moment  haunted  his  dreams.  Not  as  he  had  seen 
it  th£re — stern,  cold,  forbidding — but  shining  with  ten- 
derness and  love.  For  another  instant  he  feared  it  was 
still  a  dream,  but  now  warm  arms  stole  about  his  neck 
and  held  him  in  a  close  embrace. 

"  John,  dearest,"  whispered  a  voice.  "  Look  up ; 
we  are  together  now.  All  will  be  well — must  be  well. 
They  will  not — they  shall  not — dare  to  touch  my  hus- 
band." 


338 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 

A  HOT,  dry  morning  in  June,  six  weeks  after  Marl- 
borough  had  been  thrown  into  the  Tower. 

At  Karl  Brownker's  house  in  St.  James's  the  serv- 
ants moved  slowly  and  wearily  about  their  work. 
Every  face  was  tired  and  discontented,  bearing  witness 
to  some  prolonged  strain  of  labour  and  anxiety.  They 
had  been  worked  nearly  to  death. 

Karl,  as  town  men  often  did  in  those  days,  was 
breakfasting  in  bed,  and  his  face,  though  keener  and 
more  alive  than  usual  as  he  ran  through  a  mountainous 
pile  of  correspondence  with  his  secretary,  bore  deeper 
traces  of  fatigue  than  any  of  his  household.  It  had 
grown  thin,  hollow,  and  yellow  as  parchment,  with  a 
curious  transparency  seen  usually  after  a  long  illness. 
Yet  he  was  not  ill  physically.  His  appetite  was  good, 
his  sleep  at  night — such  sleep  as  he  had  time  for — • 
sound  and  dreamless. 

"  Now  leave  me,  Porter,"  he  said,  settling  himself 
easily  back  on  to  his  pillows.  "  Tell  Chinnic  the  horse 
must  be  here  in  half  an  hour.  Send  Young  in,  and  so 
a  farewell  to  you." 

The  secretary  rose  and  bowed,  collected  his  papers, 
and  was  going  out  when  Brownker  called  him  back. 

"  You  have  something,  I  see,  to  ask  me,"  he  said. 
"  Ask  it." 

The  man  coughed  nervously.  He  was  a  white- 
faced,  undersized  creature,  with  a  fine  forehead  and  a 

339 


The  King's  Agent 

receding  chin,  a  face  bearing  in  every  line  of  it  the 
weakness  of  the  drudge  toiling  at  a  pittance  for  an- 
other stronger  than  himself — faithful  as  a  dog  and  re- 
ceiving little  more  reward  than  one. 

"  Why,  indeed,  sir — I  had  a  word — but,  truly,  I  am 
not  bold  enough — I  could  not  trouble  you." 

"  And  why  not,  if  I  ask  you  ?  " 

"  Because,  indeed — "  the  man  caught  his  breath. 
"  Why,  because  it  is  a  favour,  sir."  He  said  the  last 
word  in  a  frightened  whisper. 

Brownker  smiled  cynically. 

"  Favours  asked  by  servants  do  annoy  me,  as  a 
rule,"  he  said.  "  But  on  this  day,  as  it  happens,  not. 
You  are  in  trouble  at  home  ?  " 

The  man  gasped. 

"You  knew,  sir?" 

Brownker  frowned.  "  Your  wife  is  sick  for  want 
of  food,  your  children  badly  clad,  and  your  rent  be- 
hind, because  the  tenants  in  your  house  were  Jacob- 
ites and  left  you  without  payment." 

"  Lord  have  mercy !  "  the  poor  wretch  cried,  clasp- 
ing his  hands.  "  And  I  thought  it  was  all  secret.  I 
am  ruined,  sure."  His  hands  dropped  to  his  sides  and 
his  face  became  callous  in  its  hopelessness. 

"  It  is  all  true,"  Brownker  said  dryly. 

"  I  deny  naught,"  was  the  answer.  "  Yet  I  am  no 
traitor." 

"  You  are  a  fool,  a  graceless  fool,"  said  his  mas- 
ter impatiently.  "  And  you  leave  my  service  this 
day." 

The  man  shivered  and  shuffled  away  miserably  to 
the  door.  Brownker  looked  at  him  a  moment,  as  if 
enjoying  his  pain,  and  then,  thrusting  his  hand  beneath 
his  pillow,  took  from  it  a  bag  of  money  and  a  letter. 
"  So  great  a  fool,"  he  repeated,  "  that  though  you  have 

340 


The  King's  Agent 

worked  for  me  by  night  and  day  for  a  pittance  of  fifty 
pound  a  year,  yet  you  dare  not  ask  a  favour  at  the 
end.  Take  this,  and  this.  Read  the  note  before  you 

go." 

The  man  obeyed  mechanically.  It  was  a  letter  to 
the  Secretary  of  State  requesting  him  to  give  the 
bearer  a  post  then  vacant  in  his  office  worth  two  hun- 
dred pounds  a  year. 

In  the  bag  was  a  hundred  guineas. 

At  this  gift  from  one  who  had  never  been  known 
to  do  a  generous  act  the  poor  creature's  lips  quivered ; 
he  reeled  against  the  table,  and  dropped  the  bag  upon 
the  floor.  « 

"  For  me  ?  All  this — from  you !  But  no,  no,  it 
is  some  mockery — I  beg  your  honour's  pardon — some 
small  jest." 

But  Brownker,  who  was  looking  over  another 
paper,  with  names  and  figures  in  it,  did  not  appear  to 
hear  the  words. 

"  Take  this  with  you  also,"  he  said,  "  and  pay  all 
the  men  and  women  in  the  house  as  here  directed 
double  wages.  You  will  find  the  money  in  the  usual 
place.  Take  a  receipt  from  each.  And  now,  be  off, 
and  send  me  Robert  Young." 

He  leaned  back  wearily  and  closed  his  eyes,  but 
opened  them  when  he  found  the  secretary  on  his  knees 
at  the  bed  kissing  his  hand. 

"  May  the  Lord  bless  you,  sir !  "  he  cried  brokenly. 
"  You  have  saved  my  life,  and  the  wife's  and  all.  The 
Lord  bless  you  for  your  goodness !  " 

Brownker  started  and  then  pushed  him  away, 
though  gently. 

"  Pish — pish !  Go,  will  you,  and  follow  my  direc- 
tions. Go." 

The  man  obeyed  slowly,  but  his  eyes  streamed  with 
341 


The  King's  Agent 

tears  and  his  lips  muttered  words  of  thankfulness  as 
he  made  his  bow  at  the  door. 

When  alone,  Karl  took  up  a  hand  mirror  and  looked 
at  his  face  in  it  with  a  curious  smile. 

"  So  the  Ethiopian  has  changed  his  skin,  the  leop- 
ard his  spots — all  for  a  dozen  words  in  a  woman's 
hand."  He  sighed  and  took  a  letter  up  and  read  it  for 
the  twelfth  time.  The  smile  died  away  and  left  the 
face  white  and  worn.  "  God  knows,"  he  added  softly. 
"  But  I  shall  know  to-day." 

There  was  a  light  step  at  the  door  and  a  knock,  and 
a  man  entered,  bowed  respectfully,  and  stood  as  if  wait- 
ing for  instructions. 

It  was  Robert  Young. 

There  was  a  marked  difference  in  the  appearance 
of  "  the  Parson  "  from  the  time  he  had  entered  this 
chamber  to  encounter  Brownker's  rapier — the  differ- 
ence to  be  seen  in  a  wild  beast  that  has  become  sleek 
and  well-fed  in  captivity.  But  he  was  a  wild  beast 
still.  Above  the  cheeks,  now  round  and  pink  with 
good  living,  above  the  fat,  double  chin,  were  the 
same  vulture-like  eyes,  and  cruel,  sensual  lips,  the  same 
cunning  and  wickedness,  the  same  self-confidence, 
though  controlled  and  carefully  kept  within  bounds. 
He  wore  the  air,  indeed,  of  a  confidential  man  before 
a  master  whom  he  held  in  awe,  but  of  whose  favour 
he  was  well  assured. 

"  The  news,  man,"  Karl  said.  He  was  himself 
again  now — alert,  erect,  keen  as  a  rapier-point. 

"  The  worst,  your  honour." 

"  Ah ! "  Brownker  said  coolly,  for  Young  had 
paused. 

"  Master  Montgomery,"  the  man  went  on,  "  is  back 
in  England.  He  landed  at  dawn  and  will  compass  the 
Earl  of  Marlborough's  release  by  noon." 

342 


The  King's  Agent 

Brownker  yawned  lazily. 

"  Noon  ?  By  noon  I  shall  be  at  St.  Albans.  Your 
last  letter  has  been  writ." 

Young,  who  held  a  paper  in  his  hand,  bowed  and 
presented  it.  Karl  read  it  carefully. 

"  Fair — fair,  but  his  Majesty  is  not  so  careful  in  his 
lettering  as  this.  The  W  of  William  is  too  finely 
shaped.  There  should  be  some  smears  and  dirty  finger 
marks.  But  it  will  pass.  More  news  ?  " 

"  Ay,"  Young  said  gruffly,  obviously  offended  at 
the  criticism  on  his  skill.  "  The  messenger  from  Marl- 
borough  has  tricked  us,  after  all,  and  returned  to  Lon- 
don. He  reached  the  Tower  last  night,  and  now  my 
lord  knows  your  play." 

Brownker's  lips  tightened,  and  Young,  with  a  ma- 
licious smile,  saw  his  face  pale.  But  there  was  no 
change  in  his  manner. 

"  Go  your  ways,  then.  Porter  will  pay  you.  Send 
me  Chinnic  on  your  way  downstairs." 

"  There  are  no  further  letters  ?  " 

"  None,"  and  Brownker  stretched  himself.  "  The 
time  has  passed  for  letters." 

The  man  lingered,  twisting  his  hands  with  a  leer  in 
his  eyes. 

"  A  few  urgent  lines  to  my  lord  even  now  in  her 
ladyship's  hand  would  cause  delay." 

Brownker's  lip  curled.  "  If  Marlborough  knows, 
there  will  be  no  delay.  Begone,  will  you !  "  He  leaped 
out  of  bed  and  Young  retreated  expeditiously. 

In  ten  minutes  Karl  was  dressed  for  a  journey; 
in  two  more  he  had  mounted  his  horse  and  was  lei- 
surely passing  through  St.  James's.  In  half  an  hour 
he  was  at  full  gallop  away  on  the  St.  Albans  road. 

During  the  six  weeks  after  Marlborough  had  been 
thrown  into  the  Tower,  Brownker  had  worked  as  he 

343 


The  King's  Agent 

had  never  worked  before  in  a  life  that  had  known 
but  little  play. 

Truly,  indeed,  had  the  Lady  Sarah  gauged  the  man 
when  she  told  her  husband  once  that  he  was  one  who 
would  pursue  a  quest  with  greater  obstinacy  the  harder 
and  more  difficult  it  became. 

Six  weeks,  in  which  Hugh  strove  in  Holland  for 
Maryborough's  life  with  the  King,  and  Lord  Totten- 
ham and  the  Lady  Sarah  in  London  strained  every 
nerve  with  the  House  of  Lords;  while  at  Holly  well 
Isabel  worked  and  brooded  alone.  Hugh  had  given 
Lord  Tottenham  no  warning  about  Brownker.  After 
his  visit  to  Hollywell  he  feared  nothing. 

So  the  course  had  been  clear  for  Karl  and  Robert 
Young.  The  postmistress  of  St.  Albans  was  a  friend 
of  Young's,  and  from  the  day  Marlborough  went  to 
the  Tower  every  mail  passed  through  Young's  hands. 
Correspondence  between  the  Marlboroughs  and  Isabel 
therefore  flourished,  but  it  was  controlled  by  another 
hand.  Robert  Young's  heart  was  in  his  work — for  it 
was  to  ruin  Hugh.  He  had  never  forged  so  well.  In 
a  week  Karl  was  at  Hollywell  House. 

He  became  Isabel's  adviser  now,  and  saw  her 
nearly  every  day.  She  consulted  him  on  everything, 
leaned  upon  his  keen  wits  and  quiet  strength.  He 
learned  to  know  her  mind  and  thoughts,  and  inter- 
preted them  skilfully  on  paper.  In  every  letter  from 
town  his  name  was  mentioned — Hugh's  never,  except 
in  such  a  way  as  to  give  her  vague  pain  and  surprise. 
It  was  Brownker,  Marlborough  wrote,  who  was  his 
only  friend.  Brownker,  declared  her  ladyship,  was 
now,  she  found,  an  honest  man,  the  man  beyond  all 
others  who  could  save  the  earl's  life  if  it  could  be  saved. 

Mr.  Robert  Young  was  kept  very  busy  writing  in 
those  days. 

344 


The  King's  Agent 

Yet  Karl,  though  he  won  from  Isabel  gradually 
such  favour  as  he  had  never  won  before,  though  he 
had  discovered  early  in  the  day  that  she  was  not  be- 
trothed to  Hugh,  soon  found  that  there  was  no  way 
of  casting  out  his  rival  by  fair  means,  for  Isabel,  it  was 
plain,  loved  Hugh  with  her  whole  heart.  For  a  time 
he  tried  to  disguise  this  from  himself,  and  to  leave 
Hugh  on  one  side.  But  gradually,  as  this  became  im- 
possible, his  scruples  died  away,  and  after  one  fierce 
struggle  with  himself  he  stopped  at  nothing.  Post  by 
post  in  the  letters  from  London  now  came  insinua- 
tions and  innuendoes  against  Hugh.  At  first  these 
made  Isabel  very  indignant,  at  which  Karl  never  failed 
to  .sympathize  with  her  and  praise  his  rival.  But  as 
time  went  on  he  became  colder  in  his  praise,  and  at 
last  the  day  came  when  he  abruptly  refused  to  mention 
Hugh's  name.  He  took  this  stand  five  weeks  after 
Hugh's  departure  to  Holland.  Isabel  was  much  hurt 
and  offended,  yet  he  could  see  she  was  perplexed.  He 
then  left  her,  and  promised  to  investigate  the  matter 
and  come  once  again.  Then,  playing  a  last  card,  he 
said  that  Marlborough's  life  was  in  the  King's  hands, 
and  that  in  a  few  days  it  would  be  proved  beyond  all 
doubt  whether  Hugh  was  really  trying  to  save  Marl- 
borough  or  whether,  as  had  been  hinted,  he  was  in 
secret  league  against  him.  The  cause  for  Hugh's 
treachery  Brownker  refused  to  betray,  at  which  Isabel 
had  laughed  scornfully.  Yet  she  saw  by  Karl's  face 
that  he  knew  of  some  cause,  and  his  reticence,  as  he 
had  calculated,  tortured  her  more  than  any  accusation. 

He  arrived  at  Hollywell  this  day — a  week  afterward 
— before  noon,  and  after  slight  refreshment  drew  her 
away  to  the  Nun's  Walk.  He  made  no  pretence  of 
coolness  now.  Weary  with  his  ride,  his  voice  was 
hoarse  and  agitated,  his  eyes,  more  cavernous  than 

345 


The  King's  Agent 

ever,  glowed  with  a  curious  excitement  that  fright- 
ened Isabel. 

"  You  have  ridden  madly,  Karl." 

He  laughed  mirthlessly. 

"  I  have  killed  one  horse  and  lamed  a  second.  But 
I  had  cause." 

He  watched  her  with  suspicious  keenness,  wonder- 
ing whether  any  rumours,  in  spite  of  all  his  care — 
though  every  letter  had  been  abstracted  and  every  road 
was  watched — had  reached  her  that  Marlborough  was 
to  be  released  to-day.  A  glance  at  her  face  satisfied 
him.  It  was  very  pale,  and  so  sad  that  had  he  been 
less  in  stress  his  very  love  would  have  made  him  pity 
her.  As  it  was  it  only  set  his  mind  at  ease.  He  saw 
she  was  in  fear,  not  hope. 

"  Tell  me  the  cause." 

He  dropped  his  eyes  suddenly  as  if  abashed,  and 
turned  away. 

"  I  have  come  to  do  that,"  he  said  bluntly,  almost 
roughly.  "  But  I  can  hardly  shape  the  words." 

"  Marlborough  is  dead  ?  " 

"  Not  yet." 

"Condemned?" 

"  Condemned." 

He  turned  and  looked  at  her,  and  his  heart  smote 
him  all  at  once. 

"  Bear  up,  dear,"  he  said  tenderly ;  "  there  is  hope 
yet." 

Her  face  was  ghastly,  and  her  breath  came  in  deep 
sobs. 

"  What  hope  ?  "  she  whispered. 

"The  King  has  sent  me  a  private  word.  I  had 
meant  to  say  that  first." 

"  And  he  tells  you " 

Karl  slowly  drew  out  the  note  which  Young  had 
346 


The  King's  Agent 

written,  unfolded  it,  and  read  aloud,  " '  Montgomery 
has  played — '  "  Then  he  pulled  himself  up.  "  Pish ! 
that  is  not  it.  Here  is  what  I  meant :  '  You  must  come 
at  once.  The  execution  cannot  be  delayed  longer  than 
a  week.  William  R.'  " 

"  You  are  going  ?  " 

"  This  afternoon." 

Her  lips  were  dry  and  parched  in  her  suspense.  A 
terrible  nameless  dread  had  come  upon  her.  Brown- 
ker's  trap  had  been  well  laid.  She  held  out  her  hand 
for  the  letter. 

"  Let  me  read  it  all." 

He  shrank  back.  "  My  God,  no !  not  for  Marlbor- 
ough's  life !  " 

Her  eyes  blazed.  "  You  are  keeping  something 
from  me.  The  letter,  I  say." 

He  gnawed  his  lips,  as  if  in  bitter  indecision.  Then, 
turning  away,  he  made  a  movement  towards  the  house. 

"  I  will  go  and  do  my  best — alone." 

All  at  once  he  turned  back  and  faced  her. 

"  Isabel,  love  you  Maryborough's  life  and  honour 
more  than  all  else  ?  Be  careful  what  you  answer." 

"  I  must  see  that  letter  first." 

He  sighed,  and  slowly  placed  it  in  her  hands. 

"  You  must  know  some  time.    Why  not  now?  " 

The  note  was  written  in  French,  and  Isabel  had 
some  difficulty  in  reading  it;  but  she  had  taught  her- 
self enough  since  she  had  been  with  the  Marlboroughs 
to  gather  the  meaning  of  the  words.  When  she  had 
spelt  it  through  twice  she  looked  up  and  gave  it  back. 

"  Then  I  was  wrong,"  she  said  simply.  "  He  has 
played  us  false." 

She  spoke  so  quietly  that,  for  a  moment,  Karl's 
heart  gave  a  leap.  Had  her  love  for  Hugh  died  ?  Then 
it  sank  again,  as  he  detected  behind  her  calmness  an 
23  347 


The  King's  Agent 

agony  so  intense  that  he  made  a  quick  movement  to- 
wards her,  thinking  she  was  going  to  swoon.  She 
waved  him  aside. 

"  I  am  quite  well.    Do  not  touch  me." 

"  You  should  not  have  known." 

"  Read  it  aloud  to  me  in  English.  I  wish  to  be  quite 
sure.  Read." 

Her  voice  was  still  without  a  tremor,  but  it  was 
low  and  strained. 

He  took  the  letter  in  silence  and  obeyed,  awed  by 
a  woman  for  the  first  time  in  all  his  life. 

" '  Montgomery  has  played  his  trump  card/  "  he 
read,  "  '  and  presented  a  petition  from  the  Lords  pray- 
ing for  Marlborough's  death.  You  must  come  at  once. 
The  execution  cannot  be  delayed  longer  than  a  week. 

"  '  William  R.'  " 

"  Tell  me  the  cause  for  his  treachery." 

Brownker's  teeth  shut  like  a  trap.  After  all,  she 
thought  more  of  Hugh  than  of  Marlborough. 

"  I  will  not  tell  you." 

"  You  must." 

They  looked  at  each  other  and  his  eyes  fell  before 
hers. 

"  It  is  jealousy." 

"  Jealousy  of  my  lord  ?  " 

Brownker  coughed  and  his  face  hardened  into 
stone.  He  knew  that  he  was  fighting  for  his  life. 

"  My  lord  was  arrested  in  the  house  of  Lady  Susan 
Montgomery." 

"  I  know  that." 

"  He  was  found  in  company  with  her  ladyship's 
daughter  Marie." 

''Hugh's  cousin?" 

348 


The  King's  Agent 

"  And  an  agent  of  King  James." 

"  I  do  not  see " 

"  This  lady  is  the  cause  of  all  the  trouble.  She 
decoyed  Marlborough  to  London."  Isabel  gave  a 
sudden  start.  "  She  won  Hugh  over.  She  deceived 
even  me  awhile.  But  I  discovered  her,  for  I  cared 
not  for  her  charms."  He  said  the  words  with  a  su- 
preme contempt. 

"  I  have  heard,"  Isabel  said  slowly,  "  that  she  is 
very  beautiful." 

"  I  know  but  one  more  beautiful.  We  must  not 
blame  Hugh  overmuch." 

"  You  said  both  were  entrapped,"  she  said  quickly. 

"  My  lord's  interest  was  political.  Her  mouth  was 
stuffed  with  specious  promises  from  James." 

"  What !    My  lord  has  been  treasonable  then." 

"  Nay,  only  indiscreet.  But  the  girl  was  infatuated 
with  him.  When  she  found  that  he  was  injured  she 
cast  away  all  thought  of  Hugh.  Hence  this  madness  of 
his,  and  pretended  mission  to  the  King  and  William's 
letter.  Now  you  will  understand." 

He  had  struck  the  blow  and  driven  the  nail  to 
the  head.  But  he  was  hardened  now,  and  careless 
how  he  wounded  her.  The  very  quietness  of  her 
manner  irritated  him.  Isabel  did  not  answer,  did 
not  move,  but  stood  before  him  like  a  piece  of  marble. 
At  last,  with  a  quick  impatient  sigh,  she  roused  her- 
self. 

"  My  lord  must  not  die,"  she  said  slowly.  "  What 
is  your  plan  ?  " 

He  was  taken  aback  for  a  moment.  It  was  as  if  she 
read  his  thoughts.  Then  he  smiled  at  the  notion,  for 
she  was  not  even  looking  at  him. 

"There  is  one  way  to  save  him,  but  that  almost 
impossible." 

349 


The  King's  Agent 

She  turned  her  face  slightly  and  looked  him  in  the 
eyes. 

"  Tell  me." 

"  I  must  know  first  what  you  think  of  me." 

His  voice  was  full  of  feeling  now,  tremulous,  pas- 
sionate. A  puzzled  look  came  into  her  face. 

"  What  I  think !    I  ?    What  have  I  to  do  with  it  ?  " 

"  His  life  rests  in  your  hands." 

She  looked  more  perplexed  than  ever. 

"  I  do  not  understand  the  least." 

"  William  delays  the  execution  until  he  sees  me. 
This  means  that  though  the  Lords  clamour  for  my 
lord's  death,  William  would  save  him  if  he  could.  He 
has  a  tender  heart,  though  few  know  it.  If  a  woman, 
with  claim  to  his  regard,  pleaded  for  Maryborough's 
life,  he  would  be  as  wax  in  her  hands." 

"  You  would  have  me  plead  ?  " 

"  It  is  the  only  way." 

"  But  his  Majesty  does  not  know  me." 

"  He  might,  if  you  willed  it  so." 

She  looked  at  him  blankly.  He  had  stepped  for- 
ward and  taken  both  her  hands  with  feverish  fingers. 
A  light  began  to  dawn  at  last  upon  her  mind. 

"  You  would  have  me  go  with  you  ?  " 

"  The  King,"  Brownker  said  thickly,  "  would  spare 
Marlborough's  life,  and  more,  if  he  were  entreated  by 
my  wife." 

She  drew  her  hands  away  with  a  shudder. 

"  That  is  your  plan  ?  " 

"  You  forced  me  to  disclose  it." 

"  It  is  impossible." 

"  My  own  word." 

He  did  not  move  or  try  to  claim  her  now.  Yet 
he  did  not  retreat.  Instinctively  he  felt  that  he  must 
wait. 

350 


The  King's  Agent 

"  This,  then,  was  the  meaning  of  those  later  letters 
of  my  lord's." 

"  He  has  given  his  full  countenance,  her  ladyship 
even  more." 

"  You  never  told  me  so." 

"  I  did  not  dare — nay,  nor  wish.  I  would  marry 
no  woman  by  another's  word.  By  your  own  will  you 
take  me,  Isabel,  by  your  own  free  will,  or  I  go  away." 

"  My  will,"  she  murmured.  "  My  own  will.  Why, 
I  do  not  love  you ;  I  have  never  loved  you." 

"  That  may  come." 

"  I  have  loved  some  one  else." 

"  That  was  why  I  spared  his  life  in  the  Hampstead 
fields." 

She  started.    "  You  knew  even  then  ?  " 

"  I  have  always  known.    And  if  he  stands  first " 

She  held  up  her  hand.  "  He  is  a  traitor  now."  She 
said  the  words  between  her  teeth.  "  He  has  betrayed 
my  lord." 

"  He  was  sorely  tempted,"  was  the  cool  rejoinder. 

"  I  pray  you  mention  not  his  name  again." 

Brownker  looked  at  the  sky. 

"  In  two  hours,"  he  began,  then  paused,  and  gave  a 
short,  sharp  sigh.  "  I  must  go  now.  Farewell." 

"You  goto  Holland?" 

"  To  London,  to  tell  all  Marlborough's  friends  and 
Marlborough  himself  that  it  is  hopeless.  They  will  be 
surprised.  But  I  am  not  surprised." 

She  made  no  reply.  He  lifted  his  hat  and  turned 
slowly  on  his  heel. 

"Stay!" 

He  stood  still,  waiting. 

"  Give  me  time  to  think." 

He  bored  a  hole  in  the  ground  with  his  rapier- 
sheath. 


The  King's  Agent 

"  There  are  but  two  hours  for  everything.     I  can 
give  you  only  one." 
"  One  hour,  then." 

"  Even  at  this  I  must  make  arrangements." 
"  Do  what  you  will,  but  let  me  think  alone." 
Her  voice  was  scarcely  more  than  a  whisper  now. 
Karl's  heart  swelled  within  him.     Hope  shining  there 
had  softened  it.     How  he  longed  to  take  her  in  his 
arms  and  comfort  her ;  and  yet  he  did  not  even  dare  to 
touch  her  hands. 

"  You  shall  have  all  the  time  that  I  can  spare,"  he 
said,  "  but  it  cannot  be  longer  than  an  hour."  And 
then  with  averted  face  and  drooping  head  he  went  hur- 
riedly away. 


352 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 

THE  rooks  cawed  sleepily  among  the  elms  at  Hol- 
lywell;  the  insects  buzzed  busily  in  the  hot,  still  air. 
The  cattle  dozed  in  the  fields,  or  stood  knee-deep  in 
cool  waters.  All  nature  drowsed,  while  the  hearts  of 
men  and  women  ached  and  bled. 

The  hour  passed  and  then  Karl  with  rapid  step 
walked  into  Hollywell  House,  and  following  the  direc- 
tion of  a  servant,  found  Isabel  in  the  drawing-room.  A 
glance  told  him  her  decision,  for  she  was  in  a  travel- 
ling dress.  As  he  came  in  she  turned  from  the  win- 
dow to  meet  him,  and  at  sight  of  her  face  he  paused, 
and  his  mouth  grew  dry.  In  all  his  life  he  had  never 
seen  a  face  in  such  despair,  yet  in  expression  it  was 
brave,  and  calm,  and  strong. 

"  I  wish  to  ask  you  something,  Karl."  Even  her 
voice  was  under  absolute  control. 

He  bowed  in  silence  and  stood  still,  not  even  seek- 
ing her  hands ;  yet  he  knew  that  she  was  won. 

"  Is  this  the  only  way?"  she  went  on.  "  Tell  me 
the  truth  upon  your  honour,  on  your  soul,  and  by 
your  love  for  me." 

It  was  well  he  had  not  touched  her  hand,  for  his 
own  trembled  strangely  now.  He  had  come  hither 
panting  in  his  impatience,  hot  with  desire,  and  con- 
scious above  all  that  as  the  hounds  were  on  his  trail 
there  must  not  be  a  moment  of  delay.  Yet  at  her  words 
this  was  forgotten,  and  for  the  moment  his  own  feel- 

353 


The  King's  Agent 

ings  fell  into  the  second  place.  He  thought  of  another, 
not  himself,  and  the  tone  in  which  he  answered  sound- 
ed curiously  hollow. 

"  The  only  way,  Isabel." 

"  You  will  wonder  why  I  asked  after  all  the  letters 
I  have  seen,"  she  said.  "  It  is  because  since  you  left 
me  I  have  been  thinking." 

She  paused,  and  he  waited  with  tightening  lips. 
Had  she  outwitted  him  ?  Was  she  possessed  of  second 
sight?  But  a  glance  at  her  face  reassured  him.  It 
bore  no  sign  of  anger  or  distrust — only  deep,  unutter- 
able sadness. 

"  I  know  now  that  this — this  calamity  has  been  to 
you  an  opportunity.  My  lord's  distress  and  danger, 
the  treason  of  his  friend,  this  letter  from  the  King, 
all  have  served  your  turn.  Do  not  deny  it " — as  he 
would  have  spoken — "  I  know  that  what  I  say  is  true." 

"  It  is  quite  true,"  he  said  simply. 

"  And  thus,"  she  said  in  the  same  dreary  tone,  "  this 
misery  and  wickedness  have  been  to  you  but  stepping- 
stones.  Karl,  Karl,  the  mockery  of  it.  Do  you  not 
see  yourself  what  a  ghastly  mockery  it  is  ?  " 

"  It  is  no  mockery  to  me,"  he  said  doggedly.  "  Nor 
will  it  be  to  Marlborough  unless  I  am  dismissed  by 
you." 

She  sighed  slowly  and  heavily. 

"  I  shall  not  dismiss  you.  So  I  suppose  we  shall  be 
man  and  wife.  But  before  I  stand  with  you  before  the 
altar  you  shall  know  all  the  truth — all." 

She  drew  herself  unconsciously  erect  now,  and  for 
all  her  white  despair,  looked  more  queenly  than  he 
had  ever  seen  her. 

"  I  loved  Hugh  Montgomery,"  she  said.  "  Once 
he  asked  me  to  be  his  wife,  but  I  did  not  know  myself 
and  I  refused  him.  Had  he  asked  me  a  second  time  we 

354 


The  King's  Agent 

should  now  be  betrothed  to  each  other.  But  he  went 
from  me  in  silence.  And  now  my  dear  lord  is  in  danger 
of  his  life.  If  he  dies  the  countess  will  lose  her  reason, 
and  this  house  be  ruined.  You  can  save  them — you 
alone.  For  their  sake,  and  my  Charley's  sake,  I  will 
marry  you.  But  you  must  understand  me  perfectly. 
Were  not  a  life  so  precious  as  my  lord's  at  stake,  I 
would  die  rather  than  touch  your  hand.  But  it  is  his 
life  against  my  miserable,  worthless  self,  and  his  life 
comes  first,  so — I  will  be  your  wife.  Yet  if  I  pay  for 
his  life  with  mine,  you  will  pay  too  with  yours.  Do 
you  know  that  ?  Can  you  realize  what  a  wife  must  be 
who  has  but  one  hour  ago  loved  another  with  all  her 
heart  and  soul.  Who  never — never  has  loved  you  and 
never  will.  I  will  be  faithful.  The  vows  I  take,  those 
will  I  keep.  But  what  can  life  be  worth  to  any  man 
with  such  a  weight  about  his  neck?  Think  you  well, 
oh,  think  you  well,  before  you  do  this  thing !  " 

Her  voice  fell  lower  through  sheer  exhaustion,  for 
she  was  deadly  tired,  and  now  she  sank  upon  a  chair. 

Karl  drew  a  long  breath.  He  felt  stiff  and  queer 
in  brain  and  limb,  much  as  a  man  falling  suddenly  from 
a  great  height,  though  no  bones  are  broken,  feels 
jarred  all  over  with  the  shock.  Her  words  and  their 
full  meaning  rang  changes  in  his  brain.  Her  voice 
when  she  mentioned  Hugh  was  like  the  cry  of  a  lost 
soul — the  moan  of  a  mother  mourning  her  first-born. 
He  heard  nothing  else  distinctly.  That,  and  all  it  sig- 
nified, filled  heart  and  soul.  Looking  at  her  as  she  sat 
huddled  before  him,  with  pale  and  lifeless  face,  he 
thought  of  the  future  and  of  the  past.  Already  she 
looked  ten  years  older  since  the  day  they  had  first  met. 
Youth  and  its  happiness  had  gone  from  her ;  she  was  as 
one  widowed,  and  by  him.  They  would  marry,  go  to 
Holland,  and  not  return  to  England  for  a  length  of 

355 


The  King's  Agent 

time.  William,  with  grim  humour,  would,  for  his  sake, 
play  the  game.  So  for  many  months,  even  years,  per- 
haps, Isabel  would  never  know  how  she  had  been 
duped.  But  one  day  it  must  come  out,  and  then 

He  walked  to  the  window.  Isabel  at  this  move- 
ment smoothed  out  her  skirts  and  rose.  She  had  not 
expected  that  he  would  reply.  It  was  not  his  way, 
she  knew,  when  his  mind  was  set  to  waste  his  breath 
in  words.  And  his  face,  through  all  the  whirlwind  of 
emotion  passing  over  him,  had  only  become  harder 
and  more  sternly  set. 

"  Let  us  go." 

She  stood  waiting  for  him,  but  he  did  not  turn  at 
once.  When  he  did  at  last,  she  started. 

"  Karl,  you  look  like  death !  " 

He  shook  his  head.  "  I  am  ready,  Isabel ;  quite 
ready  now." 

He  held  out  his  hands.  She  put  hers  into  them 
frankly,  as  she  had  always  done.  He  kissed  her  on  the 
lips. 

"  For  the  first  time,"  he  whispered. 

She  shivered  at  his  touch,  but  with  an  effort  con- 
trolled herself. 

"  Pray,  let  me  go.  I  have  to  say  good-bye  to  Char- 
ley. Let  me  go,  Karl,  for  that." 

But  he  held  her  fast.  A  strange  intensity  was  in  his 
face,  and  his  hands  were  burning. 

"  In  one  moment  I  will  let  you  go." 

He  kissed  her  again  hungrily,  and  then  held  her  at 
arm's  length. 

"  Once  on  a  time,  Isabel,  you  put  me  to  a  test." 

"  Do  not  talk  of  that." 

"  I  must,  for  I  have  now  to  put  you  to  a  test." 
And  he  gave  a  grim,  joyless  laugh.  "  Hugh  Mont- 
gomery " — he  spoke  in  a  cool,  steady  tone — "  is  not  in 

356 


The  King's  Agent 

Holland,  but  hastening  hither  to  you  on  the  road  from 
town." 

She  quivered  all  over.  "  You  are  mocking  me," 
she  cried. 

"  Nay,"  he  replied,  "  I  mock  myself." 

"  I  cannot  bear  this." 

"  You  have  not  heard  it  yet." 

"  I  can  well  guess  what  is  coming." 

"  Be  still.  He  is  on  his  way  to  save  you  from  an 
enemy — myself." 

She  was  silent  now,  gazing  with  dilated  eyes  and 
parted  lips,  and  he  saw  her  bosom  heave.  But  there 
was  no  animation  in  her  face,  only  dull  wonder  and 
surprise. 

"  Myself,"  he  repeated.    "  But  he  comes  too  late." 

The  grim  smile  was  still  upon  his  lips.  She  sighed 
in  her  bewilderment. 

"  What  can  you  mean  ?  " 

"  I  will  tell  you."  He  paused  a  moment,  then  con- 
tinued coldly,  "  I  mean  that  I  have  no  pleasure  any 
longer  in  a  lie." 

"Lie!    What  lie?" 

She  was  rousing  now;  a  faint  tinge  of  colour 
showed  itself  upon  her  face,  and  her  eyes  sought  his 
with  an  intensity  of  longing  which  smote  him  like  a 
blow. 

"  You  have  been  deceived,"  he  said  shortly.  "  The 
Earl  of  Marlborough  has  left  the  Tower,  released  by 
an  order  from  the  King,  obtained  by  Hugh." 

She  gave  a  sudden  cry,  and  reeled,  and  would  have 
fallen,  but  he  caught  her  in  his  arms.  Once  again  he 
pressed  his  lips  upon  her  face. 

"  For  the  last  time,"  he  muttered.  "  Oh,  my  God, 
my  God !  "  Then  he  let  her  go. 

She  had  recovered  herself,  and  now  stood  erect. 
357 


The  King's  Agent 

"  If  this  is  true,  then  all  that  you  have  said '* 

He  nodded.    "  Yes— all." 

He  expected  her  to  recoil  from  him  with  horror, 
but  her  eyes  filled  with  tears  like  a  child's. 

"  Karl — Karl,  how  could  you  treat  me  so?  " 

There  was  no  anger  in  her  tone,  nothing  but  keen 
reproach  and  wonder.  He  winced,  as  if  she  had  struck 
him.  But  before  he  could  answer,  she  had  thought 
again  of  Hugh. 

"  Oh,  the  wrong  we  have  done  him !  I  shall  never 
dare  look  him  in  the  face  again." 

He  smiled  his  old,  sardonic  smile. 

"  You  will  soon  be  put  to  the  ordeal.  They  are  be- 
fore their  time.  Hark  !  " 

She  caught  her  breath,  and  went  to  the  open  win- 
dow. Far  away  from  the  high  road  to  the  south  came 
the  sound  of  galloping  hoofs.  This  was  reality  indeed. 
And  Karl,  watching  her,  saw  her  face  and  bearing 
change  as  if  by  magic.  Once  again  she  was  the  Isabel 
he  knew  in  all  her  youth  and  beauty.  Life  and  colour 
had  returned  to  her;  her  eager  breath  came  in  deep 
sighs ;  her  eyes  shone  softly.  She  was  transformed. 
All  at  once  she  turned  and  looked  at  him. 

"  You  must  not  be  found  here.  You  know  what 
Hugh  is ;  there  will  be  violence." 

"And  if  so,  what  matter?  They  will  be  two  or 
three  to  one,  and  I  shall  not " — he  shrugged  his  shoul- 
ders— "  I  shall  not  make  a  great  resistance.  I  am  too 
tired." 

She  looked  at  him  a  moment,  as  if  she  would  read 
his  soul.  Then,  going  to  him,  she  touched  his  arm. 

"  You  will  go  at  once,"  she  said  decidedly. 

He  shivered  and  drew  away. 

"  My  life,"  he  muttered,  "  is  not  now  to  be  valued 
at  a  groat." 

358 


The,  King's  Agent 

She  flushed  to  the  temples,  and  lightly  laid  both  her 
hands  upon  his. 

"  That  room  leads  to  a  private  sitting-room  of  mine, 
in  which  the  window  looks  upon  the  stable  yard.  Your 
horse  is  there ;  I  saw  it  five  minutes  back.  A  private 
road  runs  to  the  left  and  will  take  you  to  St.  Albans. 
Once  there  you  will  be  safe.  Go,  Karl,  go — for  my 
sake — go !  " 

They  looked  into  each  other's  eyes,  then  slowly, 
tremulously,  he  took  her  hands  and  kissed  them  both. 

"  For  your  sake,  Isabel." 

And  he  was  gone. 

A  group  of  people  was  gathered  in  the  drawing- 
room,  or  rather  two  groups.  For  in  a  big  chair  sat 
Marlborough,  Charley  upon  his  knee,  the  most  con- 
tented urchin  in  the  land,  while  at  some  little  distance, 
a  discreet  distance,  were  sitting  Hugh  and  Isabel  close 
together,  hand  in  hand.  Between  the  couples  paced 
Lord  Tottenham  talking  and  laughing  loudly,  and 
sipping  now  and  then  from  a  huge  goblet  of  old  wine. 

"  Gad's  life,  Jack,"  he  was  saying,  "  contradict  me 
if  ye  please,  and  Hugh  there,  let  him  finger  his  long 
rapier,  but  I  do  declare  that  our  Lady  Isabel  is  right. 
Karl  Brownker  had  not  a  notion  we  would  come  so 
soon.  It  was  his  heart  misgave  him.  'Oddsbub,  sir, 
villain  as  he  is,  or  was,  that  man  when  he  saw  what  he 
had  done  he  felt  pity  and  remorse,  and  so  stopped  in 
his  stride,  and  turned  the  other  way.  Gad's  my  life, 
Jack,  that's  the  truth,  I  say.  We  have  never,  I  will 
swear  it,  plumbed  him,  and  never  shall." 

"  I  do  not  argue,  Ned,"  Marlborough  replied, 
stroking  Charley's  golden  curls.  "  He  has  escaped, 
and  that  suffices.  Only  I  must  add  that  if  ever  he 
dares  show  his  face  in  England  there  will  be  one  man 

359 


The  King's  Agent 

the  less  in  William's  household,  and  one  more  soul 
elsewhere." 

At  these  words  Isabel  glanced  up  at  Hugh.  He 
smiled,  and  raised  her  hand  to  his  lips. 

"  My  dearest,"  he  whispered  under  cover  of  some 
laughing  words  from  Lord  Tottenham  to  Charley,  "  be 
under  no  anxiety.  If  he  is  ever  at  a  risk,  trust  me  to 
save  him  from  it,  and  this  not  for  your  sake  or  for  his, 
but  for  my  own.  After  all,  he  was  my  friend." 


(i) 


THE    END 


360 


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